Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Presentation: Tomato Production for Organic Soil-Based Systems
In this interactive online session Dr.Vern Grubinger shared many “best practices” being used by organic high tunnel (hoophouse) tomato growers in the Northeast U.S. to optimize nutrient management and soil health. Dr. Grubinger is the vegetable and berry specialist and Extension Professor with the University of Vermont, and director of the USDA’s Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE), and has been working with growers and farmers for over 35 years.
Upcoming events:
- Vermont’s Vegetable and Berry Growers Association is having their virtual AGM on January 25. Click here to see the great lineup of free online learning opportunities.
- Horticulture Grower’s Short Course (BC) – Abbotsford, March 31 – April 2. On April 2, Dr. Grubinger’s colleague Dr. Maden, will speak to “Nutrient Recommendations for High Tunnels.”
Resources & Recording:
- Watch the full recording on KBFA’s Youtube channel
- PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Grubinger
- Fact sheet: 22 ways to optimize high tunnel production.
- Dr. Grubinger’s rolodex of commercial horticulture fact sheets
- Handbook: The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook, Andrew Mefferd.
- Organic Certified Product list for Canada (OMRI)
CHAPTERS (click on the time to go directly to the video)
00:00:00 KBFA Introduction
00:01:38 Participant Introductions
00:09:40 Vern Gurbinger Introduction 00:11:28 Production Resources
00:13:12 High Tunnels
00:14:51 Limiting Factors for Yield
00:15:40 Wide Variety of Systems
00:17:15 “Buffering” in Soil-Based Systems
00:19:17 Nutrients Impact Quality
00:19:31 Healthy Transplants
00:19:59 Nutrient Deficiencies
00:20:45 Salt Toxicity 00:23:42 Soil Testing 00:24:51 Types of Soil Test 00:27:28 Use SME, Foliar, and Field Soil Tests
00:28:50 Sampling Protocols
00:30:17 Test Interpretation (Response and Bang-for-Buck)
00:32:19 Q&A: Impact of water temperature
00:33:19 Q&A: Green/yellow shoulders 00:34:32 Q&A: Ideal soil/water temperature
00:36:11 Field Soil Test Example
00:39:24 SME (Saturated Media Extract) Test Example
00:43:13 Tissue (Foliar) Test Example
00:44:24 Tunnels get BIGGER Yields
00:45:49 Nutrient Needs for Yield Targets
00:49:04 Q&A: Conversions between soil tests?
00:49:45 Q&A: Ripening temperatures
00:51:32 Q&A: Single fertilization vs spoon feeding
00:54:31 Organic Fertilizer Options
00:56:19 Soil pH (calcium, sulfur, peat, …)
00:57:49 Blended Sources
00:58:14 Nitrogen (N) Sources
00:59:58 Nutrient Release Over Time
01:01:31 Phosphorus (P) Sources
01:02:05 Potassium (K) Sources
01:03:40 Other Nutrients
01:04:48 Q&A: Chilean Nitrate alternatives
01:06:49 Distribute Nutrients Evenly
01:09:28 Cover Cropping and Pests
01:11:00 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
01:15:40 Diseases
01:17:31 Q&A: Blossom End Rot
01:19:40 Ventilation
01:24:46 Pruning
01:27:07 Q&A: Bees and pollination
01:28:59 Q&A: Sanitation
01:30:50 Q&A: Boron & calcium interaction
01:33:08 Q&A: Pollinators chew blossoms
01:33:59 Q&A: Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)
01:35:24 Other Viruses 01:36:22 Steaming Beds
01:37:52 Grafting
01:40:56 Heating Water
01:41:26 Irrigate Evenly
01:42:50 Mulches
01:44:03 Soil Compaction
01:46:10 Remote Monitoring
01:48:55 Yields
01:51:10 Yields vs Plant Density
01:53:11 Transplant Dates & Ground Heat
01:54:37 Start to Finish Photos
01:55:46 Summary
01:56:21 Q&A: SME testing in cold soil
01:57:40 Q&A: Crop Rotation
01:59:37 Q&A: Effect of greenhouse plastic on light/tomato quality
02:00:47 Q&A: Optimum air temperature
02:02:49 Q&A: Conditions to encourage microbes
02:06:04 Q&A: Extreme head (shade cloth, misting, …)
02:07:27 Q&A: Great books
02:08:29 Q&A: Flavour
02:10:05 Q&A: Soil moisture monitoring
02:13:36 Q&A: Heating and circulation
02:15:38 Closing
