Commercial Horticulture

Choosing a Horticulture Crop

Q. 1/28 I am developing nursery, herbs and specialty crops in a farm in Humphrey. I am looking to find out what types of crops this land might be suited to, the hardiness zone, etc. Will be using 3 to 4 acres of land.

A. First do a site analsis. There are good directions in Nina Bassuk's book, Recommended Urban Trees. If you are considering nursery crops, I would suggest raising softwood and hardwood tree seedlings. They can be kept to seed beds, so production is easier, they can be sold bare root so that you are not depleting your soil reserve, and planting trees is one of the leading activities of rural landowners. I do not know how the economics would work out though. Deer will be a big problem and there are no repellents that will effectively and reliably work. Fencing is the only option. The height of the fence depends on the size of the enclosure, anything from 4 - 10 feet.

Second, develop a List of Possible Enterprises
• Grow what you can sell. Grow what will make you money.
• After identifying your goals and resources, develop a list of possible enterprises. The following set of questions and the list at the end of this publication should help.
• Which enterprises are predominant in your area?
• Are there enterprises which interest you that have been successful in other areas in similar soil and climate conditions (i.e., enterprises that have potential in your area but have not yet been established)?
• What crops or livestock have been raised on your land in the past?
• Which are the enterprise types with which you feel more personally compatible: livestock, field crops, orchard crops, small fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, growing transplants, raising seed?

Sources for more information
• A Primer for Selecting New Enterprises for Your Farm

• Evaluating a rural enterprise

• Ideas for small acreage (pdf)

• What can I do with my small farm? (pdf)

• Printed publications available at the CUCE office
o Alternatives workbook - $8
o Beginning Farmers packet - $25

Selling Soil

Q. 1/31 A couple of months ago, I had soils sample sent to Cornell for testing. I have them back, but still don't know the actual quality of the soil. I am hoping to sell it, but first would like to be answer the obvious question...... What is it???

A. I assume that you had a nutrient analysis done on the samples which is really not relevant for selling topsoil. If you are selling to landscapers and homeowners, they really do not care what the nutrient quality is and there are no definitions to what topsoil has to be. If you are selling to landscape architects or contractors, then a particle size analysis is important. Ideal soil specifications are listed below:

Soil particle size specification

Sandy Loam specification (good compaction resistance and drainage, moderate to low water holding capacity, could benefit from irrigation or organic matter amendment)

Particle size analysis Seive # % Retained

0 - 5% gravel 8 0 - 5%
0 - 15% very coarse sand 20 0 - 15%
60 - 75% medium to coarse sand 60 60 - 75%
10 - 25% silt pan pan 15 - 40%
5 - 15% clay pan pan 15 - 40%
organic matter 5 -8%
soluble salts < 2 mmho*
pH 6.0 - 7.5

Christmas trees

Balsam Twig aphid - Causes honeydew (clear sticky substance) and twisted needles. Treat with horticultural oil before buds open. Look for honey-dew on needles of previously attacked Balsam fir. Spray with appropriate pesticide late April - early May, 30 to 100 GDD.