Market Farming

["Adriana Gutierrez" <gutierrez-lagatta AT home.com>]

> For large quantities, we found that growing for a single harvest and
> replanting (using 1-2 week old transplants) was the most economical.  
Paula, I found myself thinking about that option today as I harvested my 
basil.  It certainly would produce a beautiful, uniform product.

> able to produce 15-20# in a 4'x8' grow bed on a rotational basis every
> four-five weeks (transplant to harvest, depending on temperatures). 
How old are your transplants when you transfer them to your beds?  What 
type of spacing do you use?

> 12-18" range -- all tender growth and ready for harvesting.  Wholesalers and
> restaurants generally use the entire plant (soft stem and all) in their
> pestos, keeping the small top shoots for decorative touches. 
I was talking to an aquaponic grower today who, in a former life grew basil 
from clones which he selected to provide the shortest internodal length, 
therefore the best yield.