Growing Vegetables for Winter Sales in Kansas -Part 2 Jay Sleichter Jay’s Jellies Produce and More Clay Center, Kansas
What we will cover • • • • • • •
Why Season Extension and winter growing? Tools Necessary What crops can you grow? How? Pests Marketing Different Issues
Why Season Extension and Winter Production? • Maintain important sales outlets and customers • Spread out cash flow • Spread labor more evenly over the year • Sell products at higher (out of season) prices • Provide customers with greater diversity of products
Why Season Extension and Winter Production? • Fresher and more nutritious produce • Produce higher gross sales and higher income per unit of area • Moderate climate change irregularities • Creating a more regional food system • Changing peoples ideas about where their food come from
Tools Necessary • Row Cover • Low Tunnels • High Tunnels
Low Tunnels Heavy 9 or 10 gauge wire to support the row cover.
Outside, ½ or ž inch EMT conduit to support the row cover. These were bent by hand using a quick hoop bender from www.lostcreek.net
What Crops Can Be Grown? Arugula, Beets, Carrots, Celery, Swiss Chard, Chicory, Claytonia, Endive, Leeks, Lettuce, Mache, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Green Onions, Bok Choy, Parsley, Radicchio, Radishes, Sorrel, Spinach, Tatsoi, Haikuri Turnips, Napa Cabbage, Rutabaga, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Parsnip, Kohlrabi, and more
How? • • • • • •
Crop Selection Planting Dates Succession Plantings Movable Tunnels Watering Pests
Crop Selection • Cold growth difference between Outredgious (L) and Oscarde
Picture from: Steve Moore, NCSU
Crop Selection • Look for cold tolerant varieties when selecting seeds.
Planting Dates • Plant growth slows down significantly when day length drops below ten hours, that is around November 16th.
http://www.hightunnels.org/ForGrowers/CoolSeasonVegetables/SpinachHarvestDate.htm
Planting Dates, My Findings
August 16th
August 22nd
Picture Taken October 20th
Planting Dates Johnny’s Winter Growers guide: Better to hedge a little ahead Toughen up your plants, don’t keep them too warm. You want them to be cold and growing slow.
Movable Tunnels
Pests in the winter tunnel • • • • • • •
Aphids Thrips Slugs Caterpillars (Cabbage Worms) Mice Voles Moles
Controlling Pests • • • •
Chemical Biological Beneficial Insects/ Mites Must be used preventatively and early for winter tunnel crops • Have healthy plants, in healthy environments with good nutrients, no bugs?
Pests
Marketing Opportunities • • • • • •
Winter Farmers Market Restaurant Grocery Stores Winter CSA Online Market Personal Use
Different Issues with Winter Production • Harvesting! Must harvest when it is warm enough. Usually between 12 and 3 is the best time. • Protection from the cold • Washing Produce • Weather and Sunlight! • Snow
Want to Learn more?
Questions? Jay and Linda Sleichter www.jaysjellies.com jaysjellies@yahoo.com