March 1, 2012

High tunnel growers should be aware that keeping the plastic on tunnels year-round can result in a buildup of salt in the soil that can damage some salt-sensitive crops. Seedlings are especially susceptible to salt. Salt-sensitive plants are less able to take up water from saline soils and can become water stressed. Sodium, chloride, or […]

There is an Old Russian saying taped above my desk that reads, “The worst disaster is a full harvest.” This simple statement helps me stay present to the fact that too much of anything can be a curse, and the more I can plan, spread things out, and aim for a steady balance, the better

When faced with long spells of daytime temperatures over 85°F and  nights above 72°F, tomatoes may fail to set fruit. The plants may look dark green and vigorous, evidence that all other conditions are favorable. But blossoms just dry up and fall off. If the heat spell lasts a week or less, plants will quickly

Almost everyone wants tomatoes! The range of colors, shapes and flavors is enormous. The taste of a fresh-from-the-vine, unsprayed tomato is infinitely better than that of a tired, much-traveled industrial tomato. Although this crop practically sells itself, it might not be easy money: tomato production can be labor-intensive — 350 hours per acre — and

Cucumbers can be a valuable crop when grown in a high tunnel. Like tomatoes, they are grown vertically on a trellis or string, so the yield per square foot can be impressive. The protected environment of the high tunnel allows for early and late production, and insect screening may thwart cucumber beetles in locations where

As every farmer knows, winter’s a great time for planning. In addition to the usual focus on seed ordering, crop rotation, pest management etc., another topic worth considering is staying healthy — because, as every farmer also knows, an injury or disability can quickly throw all the other plans out the window. Take one too-common

The social enterprise designation is often used by entrepreneurs as a way to define either non-profit or for-profit corporations that are intent upon achieving a “multiple bottom line.” The social entrepreneur either adds social good to the for-profit model, or develops income streams outside of grants or donations to the non-profit corporation. Thus, a social

Everyone knows that the main reason farmers markets exist is to create profit for their vendors. However, many of the organizations that create and run markets are managed as not-for-profit organizations—known as 501c organizations to the Internal Revenue Service. To maintain their tax-exempt status, these 501c organizations are required to have a “public good” purpose,