On-Farm Commercial Vegetable Demonstration Plots in Western Kentucky - 2004
Shane Bogle and Joseph Masabni, Department of Horticulture

Four on-farm commercial vegetable demonstration projects were conducted in Western Kentucky in order to attract tobacco growers to new opportunities in vegetable production. Growers/cooperators were located in Crittenden, Hopkins and Todd Counties.

In Crittenden County, the grower planted 0.8 acre of bell pepper and 0.5 acre of pumpkins. There were two cooperators in Hopkins County. One grower planted 1 acre with mixed vegetables (tomato, cantaloupe, cucumber, watermelon, okra, green bean, and squash) and the other planted 0.5 acre of mixed vegetables. In Todd County, the cooperator planted 0.5 acre of mixed vegetables including cucumber, pepper, staked tomato, watermelon, and cantaloupe. All plots were planted on black plastic mulch with trickle irrigation.

As in previous years, the cooperators were provided with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation lines for up to one acre and the supervised use of UK Department of Horticulture field equipment for raised bed preparation and transplanting. Soil fertility was tested at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center and fertilizer was applied according to soil test results and recommendations. The growers acquired their own transplants and provided labor for pesticide sprays and crop harvests. Growers used pond, well, or county water for their drip irrigation. In addition to the equipment and material provided, the cooperative work also consisted of weekly visits by an Extension Associate to each plot throughout the growing season to scout for insects and diseases, to address each grower's concerns, and to make site-specific recommendations. The County extension agents were valuable in assisting with this project by working closely with the growers. Among other duties, the extension agents were helpful in scheduling, promoting, and coordinating field days at each location.

In those demonstration plots that grew tomatoes, two to three separate planting times were needed to meet sales demands early and then late in the season. Plots were transplanted from mid April to early June with Fabulous and Mt. Fresh the most common varieties used. Tomatoes were transplanted on raised beds spaced on 6 ft centers with in-row spacing of 18 inches between tomato plants. Tomato plants were trellised with stakes placed every three plants with one metal T post every 30 feet and were pruned and tied according to current recommendations in ‘Commercial Vegetable Recommendations’ (ID-36) publication. Watermelon was planted 36" apart in row spacing with Crimson Sweet, Sangria, and Sangria Seedless the most widely used varieties. Cantaloupes were planted on 24" to 36" spacing with Athena being the number one choice of all growers. Peppers and cucumber plants were transplanted at 12" spacing in an offset manner in double rows 15" apart with Aristotle the choice for most growers. All plots were sprayed with appropriate fungicides and insecticides on an as-needed basis, and each cooperator followed a weekly fertigation schedule suggested by the University of Kentucky.

The 2004 growing season proved to be one of the coolest and wettest seasons on record for Kentucky. Wholesale market prices and reliability were consistently low, and wet field conditions delayed maturity and severely lowered expected yields in most locations. These conditions made for a frustrating year for vegetable production in western Kentucky.

The grower in Crittenden County marketed his peppers through the West Kentucky Growers Cooperative and experienced low prices and severe cull rates during the entire season. Poor transplant quality, marginal plant growth and lower than expected yields in fields that stayed wet most of the season were contributing factors to the problem. Later in the season, the grower who used the raised bed system produced a pumpkin crop that was marketed through local channels which kept the season from being a complete loss (Table 1). The grower is excited about the use of plastic mulch and drip irrigation. This season experiences have led the grower to look at an alternative market to sell produce next year.

Weather conditions for one Hopkins County cooperator also resulted in poor growing conditions. Pepper plants sat dormant in the field for almost two weeks because of four consecutive rains, each 2" to 3", received after transplanting. Squash and cucumber seemed to be more forgiving under these wet conditions and produced average quality produce. Disease and insect pressure was extremely high at this location which led to yield losses. The cooperator marketed through local farmers markets, on-farm sales, Fairview Produce Auction, and made deliveries to Pennyrile State Park and Outwood Hospital. With the crop diversification and by using many marketing outlets, this season outcomes were encouraging for this grower (Table 1).

The second Hopkins County grower had an excellent year in both production conditions and marketing (Table 1). The raised beds were located on gentle slopes well above flooding areas and far exceeded expected yields. Tomatoes and watermelons produced were of excellent quality and were the best selling items this year. The grower marketed his produce through farmers markets in Madisonville, Dawson Springs, Greenville and the Greenville Flea Market. Due to multiple plantings, produce was available for sale until the first heavy frost. Producers were impressed with the raised bed system in conjunction with drip irrigation which allowed them to hit an earlier market.

Todd County also experienced the same wet conditions as other growers in the state. However, because of diversification of produce and marketing skills, season outcomes proved profitable (Table1). Several areas of the field flooded multiple times and caused irregular plant growth in all crops. The grower experienced early blight soon after the season began, deer damage to melons, and some minimal herbicide injury in tomatoes but over all reported no major production problems. The cooperator marketed his produce from roadside stands at his home, in Elkton and the Hopkinsville farmers market. Selling prices were high all season and he quickly gained a reputation for delivering high quality produce.

As in past years, the biggest concern experienced by most growers throughout the season was weed pressure in the plant hole and between the rows of plastic. Also, growers who were producing commercial vegetables for the first time learned that variety selection and timeliness of plantings were two important factors in delivering high quality produce. Finally, with high disease and insect infestation due to the wet cool season, growers sprayed insecticides and fungicides frequently to keep insects and disease pressure at manageable levels. All growers have positive comments about the use of plasticulture systems and all four plan on producing again next season.

Table 1. Costs and returns of four commercial vegetable demonstration plots conducted in Western Kentucky in 2004