I hope you enjoyed our cover story about lettuce producer Mellon Farms. I was impressed by the number of acres, the efficiency of the farm, and most importantly, the fact that it is a third-generation family-owned operation. It is wonderful that Archie Mellon, the patriarch of the family, farmed with his son Doug years ago, … Read more
Control of weeds in lettuce requires an integrated management system, one not just about the use of herbicides. For California vegetable growers, such a system is one of the keys to their success. “Kerb is the primary herbicide used, but it is a component in the system,” said Steve Fennimore, an Extension weed specialist at … Read more
Although Yuma, Arizona, home of Mellon Farms, is in the middle of the desert, it’s far from a barren. Mellon Farms. The area produces 90 percent of the leafy greens consumed in the United States during the winter months. Lettuce is the major crop within that leafy green reference. Natural benefits to growing lettuce in the … Read more
I have a couple friends who grow professionally. Some deal in horticultural and traditional farming, others grow hydroponically. The ones who work in the latter – a majority, at least – say lettuce was their first try at hydroponics. It didn’t cost much to start and, depending on the demand, it was a great revenue … Read more
I hope everybody had the opportunity to read the onion stories in our April issue of Growing. I am not a professional vegetable grower, just a novice gardener, but I gained valuable information from them, especially “7 Tips for Growing Your Best Onion” and “Onion Seed Varieties.” Growing Onions I love onions on and in … Read more