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Professional Growers > Growing Info & Resources
Agronomics: Kale–Onion
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25% of irrigated US cropland is dropping 20 centimeters to 1 meter per year. In the Central Valley in California some land has subsided 10 meters in 50 years. - Marq de Villiers, Author of "Water" |
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Kale Leeks Lettuces Melon & Watermelon Okra Onions
| Kale Agronomics Growing Conditions Kale is a cool season, cold-tolerant, crop. It is best grown in well-drained, loam soils, high in organic matter with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Overhead or drip irrigation may be used. The flavor and market for kale are best in spring and fall. Planting Plant early spring as soon as the soil can be worked for a spring crop and July-August for a fall crop. Direct seed: Seeding depth: 1/4 - 1/2 in. deep. Average spacing: 4-8 seeds/ft. in rows 24-36 in. apart. Thin to 8-10in. between seedlings. Average seeding rates: Red Russian: 1/4 lb./acre, 2,100 row ft./oz. at 8 seeds/ft. Dinosaur: 11/4 lbs./acre, 1,050 row ft./oz. at 8 seeds/ft. Transplant: Plant 4-8 wk. old transplants. Harvest/Storage Harvest when fruits have developed color, but are still firm to the touch. Market fresh or store at 50-55°F and 90-95% RH. They are chill sensitive below 50°F and deteriorate readily at higher temperatures. Pest and Disease Prevention Practice 2-4 year crop rotations with all Brassica species. Encourage beneficial insect activity for suppression of aphids and cabbage loopers. |
| Leek Agronomics Growing Conditions Leeks are widely adapted but grow best in cool, moderate climates. They are best grown on well-drained, fertile soils with good moisture retention and a pH of 6.5-7. Leeks have a shallow root system and require consistent soil moisture. Hilling several times a season is sometimes practiced to blanch shanks. Planting Seed early spring, about 4-6 weeks before average last frost date or late summer for a fall planting. Direct seeding: Seeding depth: 1/2 in. Average spacing: 10-12 seeds/ft. in rows 18-24 in. apart. Thin to 4-6 in. between seedlings. Average seeding rates: 1-2 lbs./acre, 1,000 row ft./oz. at 10 seeds/ft. Transplanting: Transplant seedlings 10-12 wk. old or when pencil thick. Harden off for 1-2 wks. prior to planting. Bury seedlings 4-6 in. deep to blanch shanks. Harvest/Storage Harvest when shanks reach a good marketable size. Strip browned and dirty outer leaves and trim tops to prepare for market. Smaller leeks can be harvested late summer, while hardy varieties may be harvested throughout the winter or the following spring. During warm weather, hydrocool post-harvest prior to storage. Store leeks at 32°F and 95-100% RH. Pest and Disease Prevention Practice crop rotations (3-4 years) between all Allium species to prevent white rot and other diseases. Cover with floating row covers in areas where onion maggot or thrips are a problem. |
| Lettuce Agronomics Growing Conditions Lettuce is a cool season crop and grows best at 60-65°F, but can be planted early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Seed dormancy can occur at temperatures above 90°F. Optimum growth occurs on well-drained, fertile, high organic matter soils with a pH of 6-7. Provide adequate Ca and avoid excessive N and P to prevent tipburn. Irrigate frequently to provide continuous moisture, but avoid water logging. Irrigate frequently to cool the soil or use 50% shade cloth when sowing in hot weather. Planting Plant head lettuces approximately every 3 weeks and baby leaf once a week for continuous harvests. Sow less frequently during cool spring and fall conditions. Optimum germination occurs from 60-70°F, but seeds will germinate at as low as 40°F. Seeding depth: just cover. Average spacing: 4-10 seeds/ft. in rows 12-24 in. apart. Thin to 8-12 in. apart for full-size heads, 3-6 in. apart for baby heads. Seed at higher densities (up to 60 seeds/ft.), often scattered, for baby leaf production. Average seeding rates: For full heads: 1/4 - 1/2 lb./acre, 6,500 row ft./oz. at 4 seeds/ft. For baby heads: 1/2 - 3/4 lb./acre, 3,200 row ft./oz. For baby leaf: 1-2 lbs./acre, 650-1,700 row ft./oz. sowing 15-40 seeds/ft. Transplanting: Sow in open flats or plug trays and transplant when seedlings are 4-6 weeks old. Barely cover seeds with soil or vermiculite. Approximately 1/4 lb./acre or 1 oz./7,000 row ft. seed is needed for transplanting. Harden-off plants prior to transplanting. Harvest/Storage Hydro-cool lettuces post harvest by dipping in near freezing water.Wash, gently drain and pack as soon as possible then store in cooler. Lettuce, particularly butter and loose leaf types, are fragile and should be handled as little as possible. Lettuce is best stored at 32°F and 98-100% RH, but will incur freezing damage at 31.6°F. Pest and Disease Prevention Disease pressure may be mitigated by increasing row spacing and orienting rows for optimum air flow. Use drip irrigation to prevent disease. Practice crop rotations to minimize insect and disease pressures. Encourage beneficial insect activity to suppress aphids. |
| Melon & Watermelon Agronomics Growing Conditions Melons are a frost sensitive, heat loving crop. They grow best on light, well-drained soils with a pH above 6.0. Plastic mulch or floating row covers are often used to increase soil temperatures in cooler regions, but covers must be removed during flowering to allow for pollination. Melons are best grown with drip irrigation. Avoid soil saturation especially during fruit development as it will dilute soluble solids content of fruit. However, providing enough water and nutrients throughout harvest to maintain green healthy foliage during fruit maturation will result in maximum quality and yields. Planting Optimum temperature for germination is 70-95°F. Seed in the spring after all danger of frost has past, when soil temperatures reach 65°F. Direct seed: Melons are most commonly direct seeded. Seeding depth: 1 in. deep. Average spacing: 4 seeds/ft. in rows 5-6 ft. apart. Thin to 18 in. between plants. Average seeding rates: 3-4 lbs./acre, 750 row ft./1/4 lb., 185 row ft./oz. at 4 seeds/ft. Transplanting: Transplanting is sometimes used in areas with shorter seasons to achieve maturity. Plant 4-5 wk old seedlings when soils have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Harvest/Storage Harvest muskmelons at full slip for fresh market sales, half slip for shipping. Honeydew melons are ripe when the stem end is slightly springy and the skin begins to turn a creamy yellow. USDA grade 1 melons must have at least 8% sugar content, but 10-14% is desirable for fresh market. Sugars will not increase post-harvest. Melons are best marketed fresh, but if storage is necessary they may be held for short periods. Ideal holding temperatures are 36-41°F and 95% RH for muskmelons, 45°F for Honeydew and Crenshaw. Pest and Disease Prevention Practice crop rotations from all species of Cucurbitaceae. Avoid overhead irrigation or soil saturation. |
| Okra Agronomics Growing Conditions Okra is a tropical plant that grows optimally in hot climates. Best grown in well-drained, fertile sandy or silt-loam soils with a pH of 6-7. Adequate soil moisture should be applied throughout the growing period. Planting Plant when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, optimally 75-90°F. Germination may be enhanced by soaking seed overnight prior to planting. Direct seed: Seeding depth: 1 in. deep. Average spacing: 4-6 seeds/ft. in rows 36-48in. apart. Thin to 12-24 in. between plants. Average seeding rates: 10-12 lbs./acre, 90 row ft./oz. at 5 seeds/ft. Transplanting: Transplant 4-5 wk. old seedlings. Harvest/Storage Pick fruits when tender before the seeds are half grown (about 5-6 days after flowering). Handle with care as fruits are easily injured. Regular harvests increase yields. Market fresh or store at 45-50°F and 90-95% RH. Chilling injury may occur at temperatures below 45°F. Pest and Disease Prevention Practice crop rotations. Avoid planting into cool soils. |
| Onion Agronomics Growing Conditions Onions are a hardy crop adapted to a wide range of growing conditions. Day-length is important in variety selection of bulbing onions. Onions are an acid sensitive crop and grow best on fertile, well-drained soils with a pH of 6-6.8. Shallow roots require light, frequent irrigations when plants are young. Stop watering when bulbs have reached full size and tops begin to drop. Variety Day Length Newburg Long to intermediate day Rossa di Milano Long to intermediate day Siskiyou Sweet Long day Valencia Short or long day adaptable Planting Seed as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Usually planted early spring, onions are sometimes fall planted (August – mid-September) and overwintered. Germination occurs when soil temperatures are 48-90°F. Direct seeding: Seeding depth: 3/4 -1 in. deep. Average spacing: 5-10 seeds/row ft. with 12-18 in. between rows. Thin to 2-3 in. apart. Average seeding rates: 2-4 lbs./acre, 875 row ft./oz. at 8 seeds/ft. Transplanting: Start sowing mid winter (Jan-Feb) and transplant 8-10 wk old seedlings as soon as the ground can be worked. Harden off for 2 wks. prior to planting. Harvest/Storage Harvest when tops are between 40-90% down. At 30-40% down bulbs attain the greatest storability, but at 100% yields are highest as bulb size reaches its maximum. Pull onions and field dry in windrows if possible, or bring into covered area to dry prior to storage. Cure for 3-4 wks. prior to storage ensuring that neck tissue is dry before topping and storing. Store at 35°F and 65-75% RH. Warm onions gradually when removing from storage during warm periods to avoid sweating which may accelerate deterioration. Pest and Disease Prevention Practice crop rotations from all Allium species. Cover with floating row cover in areas with high onion maggot or thrips pressure. |
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