Scheduling Vegetable Planting for Winter Protected Production in the Midwest

View the project final report

• 2015 annual report
• 2016 annual report

Commodities

• Vegetables: greens (leafy), greens (lettuces)

Practices

• Crop Production: high tunnels or hoop houses

In the North Central region vegetables harvested from high and low tunnels in October through April provide value to farms, consumers, and the local food system. Timing production to meet market demands is essential, but sufficiently reliable schedules are not available. Product that is ready too early or too late can mean lost sales, poor quality, and reduced price; in short, decreased profit. Timing production accurately also conserves resources by avoiding the waste that occurs when a crop is not sold. This project will help improve scheduling of cool season crops grown in low and high tunnels in the eastern portion of the North Central region. We will collect data on planting and harvest dates, crop growth and yield, and environmental conditions on partnering farms; develop a model and recommendations for planting dates; and share information through bulletins, workshops, and videos. As a result of this work farms will increase profit, increasing their financial sustainability and conserving resources. In the longer term we anticipate increased food production from protected structures during the ‘off- season,’ with benefits to the local food system, reduced reliance on agriculture in distant areas, and increased consumer satisfaction.