Horticulture
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This circular covers basic postharvest harvesting, handling and cold storage principles for fresh-market blueberries to ensure the highest possible shelf-life and quality while minimizing postharvest losses. Blueberries are harvested in Georgia from late April to late June. Southern highbush varieties are harvested early in the season while rabbiteyes ripen toward the end of the season. It is important to remember that berry quality is linked to both price and consumer acceptance, so providing consumers with good-quality fruit is key to the success of your operation. Machine harvesting is possible, especially for varieties that are resistant to bruising; hand-harvesting costs are a major expense in blueberry operations. Even though machine harvesters require a significant amount of capital, the investment is cost-effective in the long run for most producers. It is important to note that not all blueberry varieties are suitable for machine harvest. In Georgia, most rabbiteye varieties are machine-harvested, especially for the processed market. Blueberries are a highly perishable commodity, and their shelf life often is limited by high rates of respiration, softening, water loss, loss of flavor, mechanical damage, and decay. Therefore, reducing the temperature of the fruit as soon as it is harvested is crucial.
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Drip irrigation is an important component of vegetable production systems in Georgia. Drip irrigation is more desirable than other irrigation methods for several reasons. Two important advantages are (1) water conservation and (2) potentially significantly improving fertilizer management. Fertigation is the timely application of small amounts of fertilizer through drip tubes directly to the root zone. Compared to conventional ground application, fertigation improves fertilizer efficiency.
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Producing greenhouse-grown containerized transplants is an increasingly popular way to establish vegetable crops. Compared to field-grown transplants, greenhouse transplants have several advantages. They can be produced earlier and more uniformly than field-grown plants. Their growth can be controlled more easily through fertility and water management and they can be held longer and harvested when needed.
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There are many ways to manage grapevine growth, and many grape-growing regions implement unique and preferred training methods. Vine growth management is achieved by applying a trellising system, which is a framework of metal cross arms, wires, and support posts that are used to direct grapevine vegetation to maximize fruit quality and production. Trellising and pruning combinations will sometimes be referred to as “training” systems, but “trellising,” “training,” and “pruning” are not interchangeable terms. Understanding the different forms of trellising and pruning can be a challenge for new growers. The goal of this publication is to provide a general introduction to some of the more common trellising and pruning terms used to describe grapevine management systems. There is a glossary at the end of this publication.
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This publication is intended to be a quick guide for plant enthusiasts of North Georgia. Each plant listing is accompanied by a photograph and a brief plant description. The description contains the common name, scientific name, leaf description, flower description, habitat and plant uses.
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Freeze protection efforts should be based on the type of freeze, temperature, and wind speed that is impacting your crop. To apply frost protection, consider your crop value, the freeze protection capacity of your system, and the crop’s susceptibility to injury at each growth stage.
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This publication provides information on variety types, suggested vegetable varieties for organic production, and steps to saving your own seed.
Organic farming and vegetable production are becoming increasingly popular. Nationally, organic sales have increased 80% since 2007, organic produce has a wholesale value typically twice that of conventional produce, and 75% of organic products are sold within 100 miles of the farm. These facts suggest that there is a tremendous market potential for organic vegetables in Georgia, yet organic production remains only a fraction of conventional vegetable production. Because of our humid subtropical climate, organic production in the Southeast is continually challenged by intense disease, insect and weed pressure. The purpose of this guide is to detail the importance of varietal selection for organic growers.
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With the passage of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) was declassified as a Schedule I drug and is now legal (with restrictions) for production in the United States. Hemp and marijuana are both Cannabis sativa but are distinguished from each other based on the concentration of the psychoactive compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Industrial hemp is defined by law as a cannabis plant with total THC concentrations on a dry weight basis of less than 0.3% (+/- a measurement of uncertainty). This publication provides a basic overview of hemp testing for THC to stay in compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture rules for hemp growers.
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Vegetables require careful handling, storage, and monitoring to ensure the maximum postharvest life span. Because we are dealing with live organisms, the maximum attainable shelf life of vegetables can easily be affected depending on preharvest and postharvest factors that often manifest during storage. Following storage recommendations for each specific commodity helps to ensure the best quality and marketability of fresh produce. This circular contains basic guidance for the storage of most of Georgia-grown vegetables.
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