High Tunnel Intercropping at Bluebird Gardens

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High Tunnel Intercropping at Bluebird Gardens

• Mark Boen
• December 2009

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Bluebird Gardens The Farm

• 110 Acre Family Vegetable Farm
• Many Crops and Varieties
• Transition to Organic Production

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Bluebird Gardens The Business

• Local Produce Stands
• Strong Customer Relationships
• Need for Adaptable Business Structure

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Bluebird Gardens The Business
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High Tunnels at Bluebird Gardens

• Produce Environmental and Economic Benefits
• Longer Growing Season
• Less Herbicide and Pesticide Use
• Extremely Productive Environment

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High Tunnels Year I

• 6 High Tunnels Built in 2006-2007
• Primary Crops Cucumbers and Tomatoes
• We Experimented with a Few Secondary Crops in
  Summer 2007, Including

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Year I

• Davignon Radishes

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Year I

• Sweetness II Carrots (Hybrid)

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Year I

• Scarlet Supreme Beets (Hybrid)

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Year I

• Walla Walla Onions

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Year I

• Grand Rapids Red Romaine Lettuce

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Year I Lessons

• Use Plastic Mulch for Weeds
• Keep Root Crops Outside (Carrots, Beets,
  Radishes)
• Lettuce Showed Great Promise, but Needs Better
  Flavor and More Variety

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High Tunnels Year II
Primary Crops, Summer 2008

• Kept Primary Crops, and Walla Walla Onions as
  Secondary Crops
• Added Green Beans and Peppers
• Experimented with Several Lettuce Varieties,
  Including

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Year II

• Coastal Star

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Year II

• Nevada

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Year II

• Cherokee

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Year II

• Magenta

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Year II

• Concept

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Year II

• Green Star

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Year II

• Jericho

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Year II Lessons

• Pepper, Beans, and Onions Received Too Little
  Light
• Beans Were Too Aggressive for Use as Secondary
  Crop
• Lettuce Was an Overall Success as Early Crop

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Year II Lessons

• Stunted Pepper Plants

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Year III Plans

• Built 1 High Tunnel Fall 2008
• New Primary Crop in High Tunnel 7 Gourmet Pole
  Beans

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Year III Plans

• Secondary Crops
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Hybrid Cabbage
• Kohlrabi
• Early Eggplant
• Calendula Flowers

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Year III Open House

• Open House at Bluebird 6/17/2009, 10 AM 2 PM
• Tours Led by BBG Family and Interns
• Featuring

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Year III Open House

• High Tunnel Intercropping
• Raised Beds
• Cover Crops
• Weed Control in Tilled vs. Mowed Ground
• Rotational Grazing

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Questions?