River Valley Horticulture

January 24, 2015

Presented By: Josh Hardin

Laughing Stock Farm

Sheridan, AR

Making the Most of Organic in Arkansas:Finding What Works in a Tough Climate

What do we do at Laughing Stock Farm?

2-3 Acre Certified Organic Fruit and Vegetable farm

Farmer’s Market Sales(Argenta, Hillcrest, River Market, littlerock.locallygrown.net, Conway.locallygrown.net, Restaurants, Wholesale (River Valley, Whole Foods, Edwards Food Giant)

Multiple layer insect disease prevention and management approach called IPM (Integrated Pest Management)

Hydroponic Micro

Greens

60 lbs of micro greens

every 12-20 days

Micros can sell for as

much as $6.00/oz

What is IPM?

Every slice of

the pie counts

Extension

provides free

soil samples

Can also test

for many

specific nutrient

disorders and

insects

Using Beneficial Insects

Ladybugs and

Lacewings love Aphids

Assassin bugs eat many

destructive pests

Minute Pirate Bug-

Attacks juveniles of

many pests

Beneficial Nematodes-

Attack pests in the soil

(Arbicoorganics.com)

Using Insect Exclusion Fabric

Use in fruiting crops from

transplant to bloom then

remove

Leafy crops can grow 9-

10 months out of the

year under insect fabric

Use metal conduit and

bender or wire hoops to

prevent crop damage

Using Powdered Kaolin Clay (Surround)

Clay creates a physical barrier.

Protects against Squash Bugs, Stink Bugs, Cucumber Beetles, Aphids, Whiteflies

Cools the plant during excess heat

Mix fertilizers, insecticides, and surfactants with Surround for long lasting protection

Using Sticky Traps to Monitor

1 trap per 5 plants

Place some near corners

and edges of garden to

detect movement into

garden

When juveniles become

present in 30% of traps

begin spray program

What Organic Insecticides Work?

Concentrated pyrethrin 5-6% is effective but not by itself

Must be mixed with surfactant and pH balanced to work well

Can use sulfur (or Lime), along with Yucca extract as a surfactant (ThermX)

Essentria G- Granulated to help with emerging insects

Diatomaceous Earth-Cheapest but only works for soft bodied insects

Biological Controls Mycotrol- Myco(fungus)

based pest control and prevention (broad spectrum)

Entrust- Spinosad (also in Monterey Garden Spray)

(Flea Beetles, Fire Ants, Colorado Potato Beetle, Fleas)

Actinovate- Natural bacteria that feed on common disease organisms

Using Cover Crops to Attract Good

Insects

Buckwheat works great

and produces quick

blooms in spring,

summer, and fall

Winter Mixes help keep

beneficials in the off-

season

Keep flowering natives

for all seasons to

maintain populations

Keeping Beneficial Insects with Perennials

'Max Frei' soapwort

(Saponaria x lempergii 'Max Frei') PICTURED

Soapwort is not native but is a wonderful edging plant. Its small pink blossoms will greet you from late June until frost, if you cut them back hard after each bloom.

Yellow coneflower

(Rudbeckia maxima)

Rudbeckia maxima is a compact plant that bursts into bloom in late August. It looks like a yellow firecracker going off in the sky! No care. Easy to keep the size you want.

Gayfeathers

(Liatris aspera and L. spicata 'Alba')

Gayfeather is deep pink, and L. spicata 'Alba' is white. I love how their straight, stiff spikes come up through the clumps of other flowers.

Summer phlox (Phlox paniculata) PICTURED

I love the round shape of the compound bloom and

how it sits atop tall stems. The strong magenta color is

a standout.

Royal catchfly

(Silene regia)

Royal catchfly is yellow-red― its raceme (flower)

stays in bloom from late June into July. About 3 feet

tall, it contrasts well with lilies.

Small's penstemon

(Penstemon smallii)

P. smallii has rich green foliage and flowers that

complement the colors in peonies. The white speck

on its purple bloom gives this plant visual wow. Well-

behaved, it doesn't migrate to my peony patch.

Perennials (Continued)

Purple coneflower

(Echinacea purpurea) PICTURED

This plant has a long blooming period and needs no care. The seed heads are interesting. If you break out the seeds and leave the bract, snow will catch in the bowl. Very pretty.

White and pink turtlehead

(Chelone glabra) and (Chelone lyonii)

White and pink turtlehead give color in late summer when most blooms are yellow. No staking required. Insect-free and can take some shade.

Culver's root

(Veronicastrum virginicum) PICTURED

Culver's root has tall, willowy, white spikes that you can see through the rest of the border.

Rattlesnake master

(Eryngium yuccifolium)

Rattlesnake master is prized for its seed heads and stately gray-green, 5-foot stalks. This type of structure adds strength to a garden.

Cup plant

(Silphium perfoliatum)

I think every garden needs this plant to peep up around the end of August and first of September

Choose Good Plant Material at the Right Time of Year

Planting at the right time for vegetables and perennials ensures maximum utility of crop

Planting too late or too early causes diseases and insect outbreaks

Choose disease free material and carefully inspect for any signs of distress

Variety Selection

Choose crops bred for

heat and stress.

Don’t grow Northern

varieties without shade,

etc

Grafted Plants can help

increase productivity

Look for varieties bred in

the South and find

reviews

Drip Irrigation, Landscape Fabric, Drainage

Moisture Management is

critical for plant health

Drip is the most

economic way to water

Water the crops and not

the weeds

Reusable if collected

timely and stored

properly

pH is Critical in Nutrient Availability

Ability to completely customize your farm plan

Cost free with a suggested donation if it becomes useful to your farm

http://code.google.com/p/cropplanning/

Mail to Clayton: cropplanning@gmail.com

Open Source Crop Planning

Wrap-Up

Successful production of every

vegetable depends on the

health of the whole system

Use journals or electronic

devices to record what works

and doesn’t on individual

pests & diseases

Also record basic

environmental info during

outbreaks

Thank You for Your Time and Happy

Growing in 2015!

Josh Hardin

laughingstockfarms

@gmail.com

Resources

Beneficial Insects

◦ Arbico-organics.com

Seeds & Chems

◦ Johnny’s Seeds

◦ River Valley!

Insect Exclusion Fabric &

Drip Irrigation

◦ Irrigationmart.com

Misc Chems

◦ Domyownpestcontrol.com

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