Scheduling Vegetable Planting for Winter Protected Production in the Midwest

Scheduling Vegetable Planting for Winter Protected Production in the Midwest

Summary

This project began in May 2015. The project team has met, purchased and installed environmental monitoring equipment, planted crops, and collected data on crop yield.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objective 1. Compile and analyze information previously collected by growers about planting and harvest schedules for cool season crops in protected structures.

This objective has been met. Partner farmers provided information about their typical crops, varieties, and planting and harvest dates and methods. We used this information to select crops, varieties, and planting dates for Objective 2.

Objective 2. Document planting and harvest dates, yield, crop growth, and environmental conditions for selected cool season crops in unheated and minimally heated high tunnels and low tunnels.

We are working on this objective. We identified dataloggers, communication system, and sensors to use at each farm, purchased them, and installed them. Dataloggers and sensors were installed in late September and October. We determined crops, varieties, planting dates, and areas to be planted for each farm for which harvest data would be collected. Planting in the structures began as early as August on some farms. Farmers are collecting yield data.

Work on the following objectives is planned for 2016.

Objective 3. Create a simple model to recommend planting dates for these crops.

Objective 4. Test the planting date recommendations.

Objective 5. Create a tool that farmers can use to improve crop scheduling for these crops in high and low tunnels.

Objective 6. Inform farmers and others and train them to use the tool.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Accomplishments/Milestones

May 4, 2015. Project Team Meeting

July 24, 2015. Planting plans for Fall 2015 finalized.

August 2015. Planting in structures begins.

Sept. 23, 2015. Dataloggers installed and operational at all farms.

October 16, 2015. All sensors in structures moved to their final locations.

October 30, 2015. Partner farmers complete pre-project survey.

October – December. Farmers collect harvest data and submit to PI.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

None to date.

Collaborators: