Selection of a medium is among the earliest and most critical decisions to be made in the setup of any controlled environment agriculture system. This choice will influence and be affected by watering schedules, fertilization programs and growth rates, and, ultimately, has the potential to determine the relative success or failure of the crop. The … 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
Want to keep up with the latest news for growers? Check back every Thursday for a quick recap of recent happenings in the fruit and vegetable industry. USDA Program Helps Nonprofits Innovate New Certification for Bee-Friendly Farms A new certification program enables agricultural producers to let consumers know they are farming in ways that benefit … Read more
It isn’t only the late blight of tomatoes and potatoes, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, that causes major crop loss each season. Although P. infestans, and the resulting late blight disease it causes, get all of the attention, numerous other Phytophthora species are responsible for blight diseases, too. Not only do Phytophthora organisms affect … 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