Peppers and tomatoes are major crops in many vegetable production areas, and growers are always seeking ways to maximize both yield and quality. One method of increasing both fruit quantity (number and size) and fruit quality is by the use of black plastic mulch in combination with trickle irrigation. Research has shown that, in addition … Read more
This new in-between fruit crop is not a berry hybrid created in a laboratory, but a truly northern native berry called a juneberry, (Amelanchier alnifolia) a Canadian cousin of the northeast U.S.’s serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), which is found as a tall shrub in northeast forests. These wild berries, which are bursting with high levels of … Read more
Before selecting crops for the upcoming season, review records for last season. Did you have any persistent disease issues in a particular crop? Did one crop do exceptionally well or very poorly? Did some varieties of lettuce bolt a lot earlier than others, leaving you without enough volume? By assessing where you’ve been, it’s easier … Read more
Summer picnics, barbecues, parties and pool days all have one thing in common: watermelon. This crop, which is 92 percent water, is a great moneymaker if all phases of watermelon production are done correctly. In 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 120,000 acres of watermelon were grown in the United States. Those … Read more
On the average, there are 7,000 cherries on each cherry tree; 250 cherries make one pie; each tree makes 28 pies. If the average U.S. consumer eats 1 pound annually, this adds up to approximately 260 million pounds annually. Americans demand cherries —and growers are filling those expectations. Often referred to as America’s Super Fruit, … Read more