Considering Specialty Crops?
Over the years in extension I have often had opportunity to consult with folks interested in growing specialty crops. Many have experience with other agricultural crops and have been farming for years, some are already involved in some aspect of ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Taking Another Look At Globe Artichokes At Virginia Tech
Tony Bratsch and Greg Welbaum, Dept. of Horticulture, VA Tech, Blacksburg Many readers may be familiar with globe artichoke, an herbaceous perennial and relative of thistle harvested for its immature flower buds. The market for this crop is ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
November 2002; Volume 1, Issue 11
When you think of the accepted definition of "small fruit" (based on the size of the plant), the native pawpaw is perhaps considered a borderline tree fruit and also a small fruit crop. This is due to its¹ natural bush-like and suckering [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Specialty Crop Profiles: Ginseng
Tony Bratsch, Extension Specialist, VT Dept. of Horticulture For those familiar with ginseng they know it as a tender perennial native of the Appalachian region. As a wild plant it has been sought after and dug since the times of Daniel Boone, ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Time to Plant Garlic
Garlic is an important crop for many market growers in Virginia. For direct marketers, garlic can be an important sales item to complement other early summer crop offerings. Though it requires advance site preparation and planning, garlic is ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Growers Question and Answers
This question comes via J.B. Daniels, Extension Agent, Amelia County: A small sweetpotato farmer here in Amelia County has raised and sold sweetpotatoes for years. Each year he buys some seed stock to for raising slips, and he propagates his own. ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Adding Cut Flowers May Increase Profits
Andy Hankins, Extension Specialist-Alternative Agriculture - Virginia State University Vegetable growers who sell produce at farmers' markets, at roadside stands, to restaurants and to local supermarkets may find that they can bring in additional ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
December 2002; Volume 1, Issue 12
Tony Bratsch, Extension Specialist, Small Fruit and Vegetables The following article is the second and final part of this specialty crop profile on pawpaw: Though pawpaws are capable of fruiting in the shade, a full sun location will result in ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
September-October 2003; Volume 2, Issue 5
Kelly Luck, Marketing and Outreach Consultant, and Jason Murray Loudon County Cooperative Extension Editors note: Many thanks to Kelly for her insightful article about recent ethnic produce marketing efforts in the DC area. Kelly was contracted ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
January 2002; Volume 1, Issue 1
A wildflower known in certain western states as Prairie Gentian has fallen into the hands of plant breeders to become a really hot new cut flower species - lisianthus. This flower is beautiful. The blooms are graceful and refined. They resemble ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
March-April 2004; Volume 3, Issue 2
Nut crops such as walnuts (Juglans nigra) and pecans (Carya illinoensis) have potential for small-scale production and direct marketing in many parts of Virginia. Growing and handling are specialized, and while marketing is niche oriented, demand ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Sell Cut Flowers from Perennial Summer-Flowering Bulbs
Andy Hankins Extension Specialist-Alternative Agriculture, Virginia State University Commercial producers of field-grown flower cut flowers generally have a wide selection of crops to sell in April, May and June. Many species of annual and ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
