Your Subtitle text
Produce Programs
Fall Produce Program
1. Soil Sample
Obtain a soil test kit from your Lancaster Ag Representative. Take a soil sample between July and September following the kit instructions. We recommend soil sampling your soil every two or three years and that each following sample is taken during the same month of the year. Send your soil sample to your Lancaster Ag Representative for testing and yearly product recommendation.
2. Plant Residue
Chop or shred the plants immediately after harvest is complete.
3. d-Compose
Mix 4 gallons d-Compose with 20 gallons of water and apply to one acre of soil. Or d-Compose can be mixed with the quantity of water that is easiest for you to apply.
4. Tilling
Shallow incorporate the plant residue and d-Compose into the soil with your choice of till-age method. We recommend no more than 6-inch deep tillage.
5. Dry Blend
After tillage, broadcast apply the Dry Blend at the recommended rate per acre with your choice of spreading method. This application should be done between August and December or before the ground is frozen.
6. Cover Crop
Sow the cover crop seed using your choice of spreading method.
Spring and Summer Produce Program
A very basic ingredient in growing produce is water. It is the most important nutrient that you the grower can apply to your acres of produce. Water can play a key role in the success of your produce. Success or failure can depend on the lack or excess of water. If you miss with irrigation, it does not matter how many nutrients you have applied up front, your yield in the end will be affected. Please review the following steps carefully. This is a handy guide to help you plan for a successful growing season in your produce fields.
1. Tilling
If you have followed the fall program, shallow till the soil of your field by your preferred method to prepare the soil for planting.
2. Pre-planting
• Spray apply SeedGro at the rate of 30 gallon SeedGro to 30 gallon water per acre.
• Caution: Till only as much as necessary.
• Apply Garden Top Dress at the rate of 1000 pounds per acre
or
• Apply Garden Top Dress at the rate of 5 pounds per 200-foot row after the seed is covered
3. Planting
When the soil is ready, plant your seeds. Apply Garden Top Dress to the soil surface if it was not applied before planting and lightly incorporate via cultivation. When it is time toplant your transplants, prepare a solution of SP-1 (soil drench) and water by mixing them in a 1:1 ratio. Place this solution in a small bucket and dip the entire root mass of transplants in this solution before placing them in the soil.
4. Tissue Sampling
The foliar feed and drip systems must be custom formulated according to the needs throughout the growing season via tissue samples taken every 2-3 weeks. Contact your Lancaster Ag Representative to have your leaf samples tested.
5. Observation
Thoroughly observe the plants in your produce acreage once a week. This will help you correct problems before they are out of control. Observe each type of plant for proper general appearance, structure, color, growth, and reproduction. Also observe your plants for insect problems. Many insect problems begin on the underside of the
leaf surface.
6. Foliar Feeding
Alternate the following two products every 5-7 days during the growing season:
• 2 quart Fruit Mix with as much water as possible (20-50 gallons) per acre
• 4 gallon F-1 with as much water as possible per acre
7. Weed Control
Control weeds throughout the growing season with plenty of perseverance by the method of your choice.
8. Water Irrigation
Regulating your water irrigation continually throughout the growing season is of utmost importance. If your plants are dry or excessively wet, the results can be disastrous. Water is the most important nutrient that you can apply to your produce.
9. Drip Irrigation
• Apply 4 ounce SeedGro per 100 foot-row once a week
• Apply 2 ounce Premier per 100 foot-row once a week
• After fruit sets to the size of a marble or golf ball, apply Premier twice a week
Note: If you are growing certified organic, please use all organic versions.