Crop planning for spring and summer tomatoes squash asparagus

Spring / Summer Plating

Tomatoes, Squash, and Asparagus

Tomatoes

The tomato crop I plan to grow is the Celebrity breed. It is good for local sales, which is where I would hope to sell my crop, primarily to local fresh food and specialty stores around the area. This will do well because of the green trend of buying local.

The seeds I plan to purchase will be fungicide treated, so they are more resilient to seed-borne diseases. I will hand seed the seeds in a greenhouse in rows about two inches apart. After about two months, they will be transplanted into the field in March. The seeds will be planted about a 1/2-inch deep into the soil.

Tomatoes

I plan to use commercial growing media, which contains a great mixture of fertilizer and lime, as well has the ability to hold good amounts of water for the plants to drink throughout their growing season. This is also sterile, which will help fight off pests and fungi. The field must be prepared and not be prone to flooding. I will continue to use a fertilizer with lime because of its benefits, but also with phosporus and good levels of N, P. And K. The seedlings will be planted with three to four leaves and the terminal buds being left open to the air, and will be seeded in the late afternoon as to not be shocked by sunlight.

As the plants grow, I will use the Florida weave system, which is essentially a cylinder that holds up ropes to net the plants so they grow higher and stronger. Irrigation will be used by sprinkler system, and the amount of water will increase as the roots get deeper. When a white star appears on the blossom, harvesting will begin. They will be washed with chlorine and then sent to local fresh markets and stores for sale.

Tomatoes

In the field, I will plant the tomatoes will be separated by 18 inches in each row, with about 5 feet between the rows.

Squash

Squash typically has a short growing season, about 40-50 days after being transplanted into the soil. For this case, I will be planting summer squash through direct seeding in late March.

If needed, I can always make successive plantings every 10 to 14 days to ensure that I have fruit throughout the summer season (Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 2013). The soil needs to be well drained "sandy loams with high levels of organic matter and a pH of 6.0 to 6.5" and not in soils which have been used in growing watermelons, pumpkins, or other cucumber family plants in order to avoid diseases (Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 2013).

Squash

For fertilizer, I will use a mixture of Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium before planting and about 4 weeks after planting. You typically want a grid of about 18 by 18 for each squash planting, with row spacing of about 36 inches (Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 2013).

Drip irrigation is the most preferred method of irrigation, but must be used with plastic mulch in order to avoid molds and fungi. The drip bed must be buried about 2-3 inches deep. Weeding should be done by hand, and insecticides should be used in the case of insect infestations.

Squash

Different insecticides depend on the type of insect. Harvesting has to occur before the squash ripens, as they have a very short shelf life. Great care needs to be taken because the skin is very delicate.

The squash must reach the local markets and farmer's markers with 6-7 days. They will be sold to the same type of local markets as the tomatoes.

Squash

Asparagus

A Jersey Gem male hybrid asparagus will be the choice for planting in the spring / summer season. They are less prone to weeds growing around them and have a higher tolerance to the disease cercospera (Sanders, 2010). Although the seeds are more expensive, they are less labor intensive and will save money in the long-term. Sandy, well drained soil is best for this crop.

It is important to have a very good drainage system in order to avoid root rot. Thus, sandy loam is preferred and away from flooded areas. The soil should have a pH from 6.2 to 6.8. Lime and commercial fertilizing using only phosphorus may be used prior to planting, but some nitrogen and potassium may be needed after extensive soil testing.