Growing Garlic, Lettuce, and Specialty Greens

A farmer is only as good as his (or her)

?
June 7th, 2010

A farmer is only as good as his/her

?
Soil June 7th, 2010

A farmer is only as good as his/her

Soil

Spouse June 7th, 2010

The Specialty Farmer, Inc.

Fresh vegetables/fruit/flowers Cultivate 10 acres per year Diversified Over 100 varieties of vegetables & flowers Sold today or donated Sustainable Practices Retail direct & restaurants

100% Homegrown
April to December Production

Sales
Percent Per Week
4.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.0% 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0%

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sales
Percent Per Week
4.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.0% 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0%

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

What Is This?

November 12th

January 28th June 7th, 2010

Garlic
Planted in November

Harvested May through June

Spends 7+ months in the ground! Grown around the world
#1 - China 77% #6 - USA 1.4%

Not just a west coast or northeast crop

June 7th, 2010

Garlic Varieties
Two Varieties
Stiff or Hard Neck Soft Neck Elephant (?)

Day-Length Sensitive
Latitude matters

Many types
White, Red, Hardy, Extra hardy Italian, German,
German White June 7th, 2010

German White is grown in northeastern states

Schoharie Valley, NY July 7th, 2006

Garlic cloves or teeth

Planting Day November 15th, 2011 3,000 Cloves

Prepare planting beds

Planting Day November 15th, 2011

December 15th, 2011

April 27th, 2012

April 27th, 2012

May 26th, 2012

80% Green May 26th, 2012

Harvest Day

50% Green
June 7th, 2010

July 14th, 2012

July 14th, 2012

July 28th, 2009 Schoharie Valley, NY

Garlic Scapes

Garlic
Attracts customers Flavorful & nutritious Timing of harvest is tricky Modestly profitable Low maintenance Off-season crop Stores well

Lettuce
North Carolinas New Leaf Crop

Thanksgiving Day November 22nd, 2012

Lettuce
North Carolinas New Leaf Crop

Thanksgiving Day November 22nd, 2012

Lettuce

Why Lettuce?
High demand
Large existing market Consumption in U.S. is #2 Numerous varieties

Profitable
Quick crop Low seed cost Modest fertility required Light weight, easy harvest

Why Lettuce? (continued)

Expanded Season
Develop an early relationship Develop a lasting relationship

Grower Advantage
Over supermarkets Over non-growers

Miscellaneous
Lettuce is beautiful Variety (beyond Iceberg)

Growing Lettuce is Easy (?)

Seeding
72s Any good germination mix Cover with vermiculite 400 to 800 F Five weeks later Hand transplant No plastic mulch No drip tape (?) No insecticides (some aphids)

In the field

Harvest
Light weight Cooler temperatures Wilts above 500 F

July 20th, 2011

August 28th, 2011

August 28th, 2011

April 24th, 2011

May 19th, 2011

November 6th, 2010

November 6th, 2010

May 18th, 2010

Lettuce some challenges

Abrupt season endings
Heat is spring Frost in fall

Fragile and wilts above 500 F Consumes space

In the picking crate On the table Doesnt fit in T-Shirt bag

Occasional Aphids

Food borne illness ?

Be aware and take precautions

Specialty Greens

Discover Specialty Greens

Undeveloped market Tremendous variety
Kales, Asian greens, spinach, beet, collards, turnip, chard, mustard, Arugula, Vitamin green,

Outstanding nutrition

Versatile in recipes
Fast and easy to grow at key points in the season Season extension

Kales December 1st, 2012

Collards December 1st, 2012

Tatsoi December 15th, 2012

Mizuna December 15th, 2012

Vitamin Green December 15th, 2012

Swiss Chard December 1st, 2012

February 19th, 2011

February 19th, 2011

Young Collards November 2nd, 2011

Young Kales November 2nd, 2011

Assorted Greens January 4th, 2013

Greens Table May 14th, 2011

Many ways to extend the season!

Root Crops June 1st, 2010

A Favorite November 22nd, 2012

Spring Flowers

April 29th, 2007

May 24th, 2008

Fall Flowers

October 14, 2006

Crucifers

Broccoli November 27, 2010

Cauliflower December 4th, 2010

Napa May 14th, 2011

90 on 12/15/10, Average Low: 320

Jan 17th, 2011

The End