Growing vegetables. Caring for the crop

Growing vegetables. The choice of a location for raising any vegetable commercially depends chiefly on the climate. For example, sweet corn grows best during the wet summers of Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Potatoes thrive in the cool growing conditions of Idaho, Maine, and Washington. California's irrigated desert areas are ideal for raising tomatoes. The cool summers of other sections of California are just right for lettuce. The warm winters of Arizona, Florida, and Texas makes those states important producers of fresh vegetables.

There are four basic steps in commercial vegetable production: (1) planting, (2) caring for the crop, (3) harvesting, and (4) packing and shipping. Most growers use various kinds of machines for these operations.

Planting. Many vegetables are planted as seeds in the field where they will grow until harvested. This method is called direct seeding. Some vegetable farmers plant pregerminated seeds. These seeds are first sprouted in partly decayed plant matter called peat The mixture of peat and sprouted seeds is then planted in the field. Some vegetables, such as cabbage and tomatoes, may be grown from transplanted seedlings that were started in a greenhouse or in a field in a warmer climate. A vegetable grower can produce a crop earlier in the season by using transplants than would be possible by direct seeding.

The planting date varies with the type of vegetable. Some vegetables grow best in cool weather and are planted early in spring. They include beets, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, radishes, and spinach. Others, such as cabbage, onions, and peas, can withstand frost and are planted even earlier. Growers in the Southern States can plant cool-weather vegetables during winter.

Some vegetables, among them eggplants, squash, and sweet corn, require warm weather. These crops are planted so that the seedlings emerge after the last frost of the season. Cucumbers, lima beans, muskmelons, and tomatoes are planted only after the final frost In the North, warm-season vegetables can be planted in late spring, usually after April. In the Southern States, these vegetables can be planted as early as February.

Caring for the crop begins by preparing the soil before the seeds are planted. The vegetable grower cultivates and fertilizes the fields and also may apply weedkiller. After planting the crop, the grower may cultivate the fields again to kill weeds and improve the circulation of air and water through the soil. More fertilizer may also be applied.

Vegetable farmers inspect their crops periodically for destructive insects and plant diseases. Farmers use a variety of chemicals and methods of control because different insects and diseases attack different plants. Fields of vegetables may have to be irrigated if they do not receive enough rain. In areas with arid and semiarid climates, irrigation is a necessity.

Harvesting vegetables at the proper time is extremely important Vegetables sent directly to a local market or to a processing plant can be more mature when harvested than those that must be shipped long distances. Farmers may harvest some vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, over a period of several weeks. However, other crops must be picked and transported rapidly to ensure freshness and quality.

Packing and shipping. Most vegetables are graded by quality and size. Harvested vegetables may be taken to a building to be sorted, washed, trimmed, packaged, and labeled. But some machines can pick, sort, and package crops while moving through the fields.

Most vegetables are washed to remove dirt and prevent wilting. The outer leaves of lettuce and cabbage are removed to improve the appearance. Cucumbers are waxed to prevent water loss. Some vegetables, including lettuce and sweet corn, must be cooled to prevent spoilage after being harvested. Vegetables are shipped by refrigerated trucks or railroad cars to local or distant markets and processing plants. Some vegetables, such as onions and potatoes, can be stored for long periods before being shipped.