Market Farming

[Jay Sleichter <jaysleichter AT yahoo.com>]

I am wrapping up my winter production and I am wanting to start preparing my tunnels for spring plantings.  Due to some really warm temps after the first of the year, ( I think this was the cause) I have seen a huge explosion of aphids, some sort of gnat (not white-flys) on the remaining spinach, lettuce and turnips.  Now there is 7-8 inches of snow on the ground!

I have several questions:

1)  If I eliminate the plants and get rid of them, will I get rid of the aphids?  Will they come back when I start planting in a few weeks? What would you do with the debris?

2) What do I do with the row cover?  I am afraid that they are on the row cover and this would provide a home for them between crops?

3)  What can I do to help prevent this from happening again.  I do blame myself for not monitoring it more closely.

While I have been growing in tunnels for 3 years, this is my first year of transitioning from winter production to spring production.

Any advice will be appreciated. I haven't been able to find much information on this topic.

Thanks,

Jay


Jay's Jellies, Produce and More
Clay Center, Kansas
www.jaysjellies.com
http://highfarming.blogspot.com/