[Market-farming] Rutabaga

Two Onion Farm farmer at twoonionfarm.com
Sat May 16 06:31:44 EDT 2009


We tried transplanting rutabaga variety Joan in 2005 because of 
problems in previous years with flea beetles on summer direct seeded 
rutabagas.  We sowed on 7/16 in 2" soil blocks, transplanted on 8/2, 
harvested in mid-late October.  Set the blocks out 2 rows/bed, beds 
on 5' centers, 6" apart within rows.  That was a particularly warm 
autumn.  if I were to do it again in our climate (southwest WI) I 
might sow a bit earlier.  Many of the transplanted plants produced 
huge roots, larger than those of direct seeded plants the same 
year.  Transplanting basically worked well although we did note that 
roots harvested from transplanted plants were not quite as perfect in 
shape as those from direct seeded plants.  There tended to be funky 
bends and crooks at the bottom of the transplanted rutabagas, around 
the point where the edible root is tapering into the narrow 
taproot.  We still considered them saleable however.  We experimented 
with planting 1 seed/block and 2 seeds/block and concluded that 2 
seeds per block did not make sense because 1 of the two resulting 
plants was almost invariably puny and stunted and did not produce a 
marketable root.

We have not repeated this in future years.  Now we are careful not to 
sow the rutabagas close to an existing planting of older brassicas 
which serve as a source of flea beetles.  We also now use a trap crop 
of Hakurei turnip planted alongside the rutabagas.  The flea beetles 
love the turnips and generally leave the rutabagas alone for a week 
or so while they chomp the turnips to death.  By the time they turn 
their attention to the rutabagas the bagas are large enough to 
survive the onslaught.  That's the idea anyway.  It seems to work.

Chris

Chris & Juli McGuire
Two Onion Farm
www.twoonionfarm.com
19638 Cottage Inn Road
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 762-5335
farmer at twoonionfarm.com

At 06:04 AM 5/15/2009, you wrote:
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>Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: Market Shelter (Road's End Farm)
>    2. Re: Easy-ups (sora at coldreams.com)
>    3. Re: caravan (Sue Wells)
>    4. Rutabaga (bcluton at aol.com)
>    5. Re: Rutabaga (sunnfarm at netscape.com)
>    6. Re: market supplies: plastic bags, berry baskets, etc.
>       (Petersons family)
>    7. Re: Rutabaga (Marty Kraft)
>    8. Re: market supplies: plastic bags, berry baskets, etc.
>       (Road's End Farm)
>    9. Re: Easy-ups (Owsley lucy)
>   10. Re: Harlequin Bug Control? (Allan Balliett)
>   11. row covers and flea beetles and white-on-black    mulch
>       (Allan Balliett)
>   12. Re: Easy-ups (Allan Balliett)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 14:54:12 -0400
>From: Road's End Farm <organic87 at frontiernet.net>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Market Shelter
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <335a6d9a011b0c3b61104f7aa8a35f4e at frontiernet.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
>On May 14, 2009, at 11:26 AM, jay sleichter wrote:
>
> > I purchased a cheaper 10 by 10 pop-up shelter several years ago.? It
> > has served me very well.? I don't set it up every week, just when I
> > need to probably once every other week. It is easy to set up and
> > waterproof.? The problems I have is that the legs are weak and it
> > doesn't take wind real well and screws keep working lose. I have seen
> > many EZ-Up shelters and they seem to be the "Top of the Line".?? I am
> > wanting to upgrade to one this year.? My question is what model??
> > There are Eclipse, Express, Sierra, Enterprise and etc.? What model is
> > the best for it's money.? I don't want to spend lots of money, but I
> > want a quality shelter.
>
>It's been some years since I last did that hunt, but here's what I
>remember:
>
>Some of the differences are in size and/or shape; probably not all
>models are available in all sizes, so you need to decide that first.
>
>Get a commercial model, not a consumer model. Otherwise you may get the
>same problems you've got with the one you have now. (Though on any
>model you should check once in a while in case fasteners are coming
>loose; but on a good one it doesn't happen often.)
>
>What I have is a Speed Shelter; works fine for me. I got that model
>because I wanted the 8' x 12' size, which is unusual, but which fits
>one of my market spaces better than the more common sizes. -- I have no
>idea what models and/or sizes are available right now. I last
>investigated this in 2004.
>
>-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
>Fresh-market organic produce, small scale
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 12:55:24 -0700 (PDT)
>From: sora at coldreams.com
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Easy-ups
>To: market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org
>Message-ID:
>         <62550109dcbe98beeaf6a687a09b0770.squirrel at qmail.coldreams.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> >
> > I purchased a cheaper 10 by 10 pop-up shelter several years ago.? It has
> > served me very well.? I don't set it up every week, just when I need to
> > probably once every other week. It is easy to set up and waterproof.? The
> > problems I have is that the legs are weak and it doesn't take wind real
> > well and screws keep working lose. I have seen many EZ-Up shelters and
> > they seem to be the "Top of the Line".?? I am wanting to upgrade to one
> > this year.? My question is what model?? There are Eclipse, Express,
> > Sierra, Enterprise and etc.? What model is the best for it's money.? I
> > don't want to spend lots of money, but I want a quality shelter.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jay
> >
> >A large majority of our market folk ended up with the First Up pop up
>shelters from (I hate to say it) Walmart.  I got one on sale at the end
>of the season for about $85, I've had it for 3 full seasons and they hold
>up well.  I set up every Sat. from 7am-2pm through the season.  We get
>winds every week up to 5-20 mph regularly.  I bungie one end to the truck
>and keep 20 lbs weight on each front leg.  The nicest feature on these is
>a vent at the peak which helps prevent the parasail effect.
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 3
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 19:17:52 -0400
>From: "Sue Wells" <farmersue at myfairpoint.net>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] caravan
>To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <200905142317.n4ENHwxw003857 at mail124c26.carrierzone.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
>I have a caravan shelter and have used it for 3 or 4 years. I have never had
>a problem with it, and it has been used for 4 markets a week. Costco carries
>these for about $200.
>Sue
>Vermont
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 4
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 20:36:13 -0400
>From: bcluton at aol.com
>Subject: [Market-farming] Rutabaga
>To: market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org
>Message-ID: <8CBA30C48BDE22C-DE0-2C30 at webmail-mf18.sysops.aol.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
>Anyone ever transplanted Rutabaga? ?
>
>
>
>I've begun contemplating putting Rutabaga in 98's or something 
>rather than direct seeding. ?If they do all right from plugs it 
>would certainly help avoid thinning, get a jump on flea beetles and 
>eliminate some early weeding.
>
>
>
>
>Brian
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 5
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 18:01:29 -0700
>From: <sunnfarm at netscape.com>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Rutabaga
>To: "Market Farming" <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <20090514180129.415B91EB at resin15.mta.everyone.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 6
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 19:27:55 -0700
>From: Petersons family <petersns at whidbey.com>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] market supplies: plastic bags, berry
>         baskets,        etc.
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <FAEE97A9-72FD-48EF-8DEB-31D6B9E8C143 at whidbey.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>Here's PakSel's response to that question:
>http://www.cellobag.com/sub1.htm
>
>
>On May 14, 2009, at 6:46 AM, Marty Kraft wrote:
>
> > When a boidegradable bag biodegrades what does it biodegrade into and
> > where does it go?
> >
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 7
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 21:55:28 -0500
>From: Marty Kraft <martyk at allspecies.org>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Rutabaga
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <84EFEEFD-0086-409F-9C1A-7CEBA4618828 at allspecies.org>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>Row cover keeps flea beetles off my egg plant.
>Marty
>On May 14, 2009, at 7:36 PM, bcluton at aol.com wrote:
>
> > Anyone ever transplanted Rutabaga?
> >
> > I've begun contemplating putting Rutabaga in 98's or something
> > rather than direct seeding.  If they do all right from plugs it
> > would certainly help avoid thinning, get a jump on flea beetles and
> > eliminate some early weeding.
> >
> > Brian
> >
> > Dell Mini Netbooks: Great deals starting at $299 after instant
> > savings!
> > _______________________________________________
> > Market-farming mailing list
> > Market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/market-farming
> >
>
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 8
>Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 23:49:06 -0400
>From: Road's End Farm <organic87 at frontiernet.net>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] market supplies: plastic bags, berry
>         baskets,        etc.
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <6c685865874d3820ce1b5e28ab8d5970 at frontiernet.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
>On May 14, 2009, at 10:27 PM, Petersons family wrote:
>
> > Here's PakSel's response to that question:
> > http://www.cellobag.com/sub1.htm
> >
> >
> > On May 14, 2009, at 6:46 AM, Marty Kraft wrote:
> >
> >> When a boidegradable bag biodegrades what does it biodegrade into and
> >> ?
> >> where does it go?
> >>
>
>  From the PakSel site:
>
>         "Regenerated as a clear, shiny film, with plasticizing 
> chemicals added
>for flexibility, cellophane is still comprised largely of crystalline
>cellulose molecules. This means that it can be broken down by
>micro-organisms in the soil just as leaves and plants are."
>
>My question is: what are the "plasticizers" made of? do they also
>completely biodegrade, and if so, into what?
>
>I'm too tired to ask them that question right now. (actually, I guess
>it's two questions.) Maybe I will, another day.
>
>
>-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
>Fresh-market organic produce, small scale
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 9
>Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 05:02:20 -0400
>From: Owsley lucy <boulderbelt at embarqmail.com>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Easy-ups
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <5942ED6E-2736-403E-91BC-BF97DDA92A51 at embarqmail.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
>I have an express EZUp (now the Express II). It has served me well
>for about 8 years of being used hard 2 to 3 times a week. it should
>last another 8 years easily
>
>The cheap models you can buy at box stores do indeed work for a few
>people but I watched at farmers market last Saturday 1 break as it
>was being put up for the first time and than walking around saw that
>all the cheap EZUps (and the knockoffs) all were held together with
>duct tape, wire, cello tape, bailing twine, bungie cords, etc. I
>don't believe there was a single cheap EZUp there that was not
>repaired in some way.
>
>these cheap models are badly designed. they carry the weight/stress
>of the canopy along the sides of the structure not to mention the
>legs are weak. The Express and more expensive models have a cathedral
>structure which is a lot stronger and the legs are also a lot more
>sturdy. A good EZUp should last 15 to 20 years of hard use (though
>you will have to replace the canopy a couple of times). I have
>noticed the caravan shelters can take a lot of use and not break
>
>I have noticed that Wal-Mart et. al has a deal where you can get an
>EXUp with sides for about $200. Don't do this as these shelters are
>almost as weak as the $85 models and for about $75 more you can order
>a much better quality shelter (with no sides) on line.
>
>On May 14, 2009, at 3:55 PM, sora at coldreams.com wrote:
>
> >>
> >> I purchased a cheaper 10 by 10 pop-up shelter several years ago.?
> >> It has
> >> served me very well.? I don't set it up every week, just when I
> >> need to
> >> probably once every other week. It is easy to set up and
> >> waterproof.? The
> >> problems I have is that the legs are weak and it doesn't take wind
> >> real
> >> well and screws keep working lose. I have seen many EZ-Up shelters
> >> and
> >> they seem to be the "Top of the Line".?? I am wanting to upgrade
> >> to one
> >> this year.? My question is what model?? There are Eclipse, Express,
> >> Sierra, Enterprise and etc.? What model is the best for it's
> >> money.? I
> >> don't want to spend lots of money, but I want a quality shelter.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Jay
> >>
> >> A large majority of our market folk ended up with the First Up pop up
> > shelters from (I hate to say it) Walmart.  I got one on sale at the
> > end
> > of the season for about $85, I've had it for 3 full seasons and
> > they hold
> > up well.  I set up every Sat. from 7am-2pm through the season.  We get
> > winds every week up to 5-20 mph regularly.  I bungie one end to the
> > truck
> > and keep 20 lbs weight on each front leg.  The nicest feature on
> > these is
> > a vent at the peak which helps prevent the parasail effect.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Market-farming mailing list
> > Market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/market-farming
> >
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 10
>Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 06:25:32 -0400
>From: Allan Balliett <aballiett at frontiernet.net>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Harlequin Bug Control?
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <p06230921c632f1998c24@[192.168.123.183]>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
>
>I should insert in this thread that I've found garlic sprays and
>cedar sprays ineffective in repelling harlequins, even when used
>before an infestation is apparent.
>
>I've also found a highly recommended and expensive product, Mycotrol,
>to be apparently useless in Harlequin control . (It contains fungal
>spores which I was told would attack and destroy Harlequin eggs. I
>use a fogger for applying products like this and feel that I get
>extremely good coverage on all plant surfaces.) Worse, this product,
>which sells for $129 a qt, has stability problems which causes some
>containers of it to solidify, and therefor be unusable, through no
>fault of the user. Mine solidified in the middle of the Harlequin
>season. (Which, this year, appears that it will be ALL season.) I
>purchased mine from Arbico Organics, who, although they acknowledged
>manufacturing problems with mycotrol, would not stand behind it and
>pushed me off to the distributor.  The unfortunate thing about this
>experience was that Arbico was very high handed in handling my
>complaint and when the distributor asked them to replace my product,
>they simply stopped responding to me email or to my calls. (Which
>reminds me, the nematods I purchased from them for flea beetle
>control had no observable effect on flea beetle populations, either.)
>
>Right now, I'm seeing some Harlequins on Canadian thistle. Could it
>be that something very good is going to come of this entire Harlequin
>issue?
>
>-Allan in WV
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 11
>Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 07:00:42 -0400
>From: Allan Balliett <aballiett at frontiernet.net>
>Subject: [Market-farming] row covers and flea beetles and
>         white-on-black  mulch
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <p06230923c632fa8aa4b1@[192.168.123.183]>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
>
>I'd like to grow a decent crop of rapini for the CSA this early summer.
>
>Flea beetles are a big problem for us.
>
>My early experiments with row cover and flea beetles gave me crops
>that were devoured by flea beetles when I finally lifted the row
>cover. For this reason, I've remained dubious.
>
>But I hear so many proclaim the benefits of row cover that I'm ready
>to try again.
>
>One error I apparently made was that I didn't put the row covers on
>on the day of seeding. Is this a necessity? In an area of the garden
>known to have flea beetles is bare soil/worked soil enough to repel
>them for a while or do you spray a repellant or insecticide on the
>bare soil before putting on the row cover?
>
>I have a roll of the white-on-black plastic mulch that I've never
>used. I'm wondering if those of you who use it think it w.b. a good
>plastic to use with a row covered raab/rapini planting. (I'm
>concerned about leaving the row cover on until harvest, so I don't
>want to have to worry about weeds.
>
>And, do I have it straight on this white-on-black plastic mulch? It
>really will COOL the soil rather than heat it, thereby prolonging the
>non-bolting life of brassicas grown on it?
>
>Thanks for listening.
>
>-Allan in WV
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 12
>Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 07:04:34 -0400
>From: Allan Balliett <aballiett at frontiernet.net>
>Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Easy-ups
>To: Market Farming <market-farming at lists.ibiblio.org>
>Message-ID: <p06230925c632fc2f074c@[192.168.123.183]>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
>
>Man, I didn't know this at all!
>
>We have gone through two ez-ups from SAMS CLUB in the past 3 years. I
>don't remember them being cheap to buy and I just thought we had 'the
>real thing.'
>
>Yes, for reasons unknown, struts will bend and break while putting 
>the unit up.
>
>Also, I see other people at market put up ez ups by themselves. All
>of the units we've owned have been 'too stiff' to do this with.
>
>I'll check out the 'express' model.
>
>Thanks
>
>-Allan
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
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>End of Market-farming Digest, Vol 76, Issue 25
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