Once cucumbers are harvested, a grading system set up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is used to identify the cucumbers. – How the USDA Grades Cucumbers The following grades apply to pickling cukes: U.S. Grade No. 1: less than 11/16-inch diameter U.S. Grade No. 2: 11/16-inch diameter to less than 1 1/2-inch diameter U.S. Grade … Read more
With the cucumber business racking in $300 million from pickling and fresh-market cucumbers, the industry is full of opportunity for producers who apply the proper techniques to produce these vegetables. – Cucumber Growing 101 Regardless if the chosen cucumber is intended for the fresh market or for pickling, cukes require a specific environment to properly grow. … Read more
With the help of high tunnels, many growers can snatch an early start on their vegetable crops. However, these unheated structures have a growing environment and disease concerns similar to those in a heated greenhouse. Growers may be plagued by crop diseases, which normally aren’t encountered in field production. – Leaf Mol Often, tomatoes are chosen … Read more
Spinach is the quintessential leafy green. It’s often what people think of when they think “healthy.” It is also a highly versatile green that consumers use for salads, dips, garnishes, sandwiches, pasta, casseroles and more. When BrightFarms, a commercial scale greenhouse operation with locations in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Culpepper County, Virginia; and Rochelle, Illinois, launched … Read more
Spinach was catapulted into the national spotlight in 1929. Thanks to Popeye the Sailor Man, the vegetable has been known to all as the “original superfood.” As his song lyrics proclaimed, “I’m strong to the finish ’cause I eats me spinach,” the cartoon character credited his incredible strength to the spinach he ate. – Spinach Ironically, … Read more