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Converting Tobacco Float Houses for Edible and Ornamental Crop Production

Converting Tobacco Float Houses for Edible and Ornamental Crop Production. Rebecca Schnelle Extension Floriculture Specialist University of Kentucky. #1 – What to grow? #2 – How to sell it? #3 – Do the budget #4 – Convert the greenhouse #5 – Grow the crop. #1 - What to Grow.

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Converting Tobacco Float Houses for Edible and Ornamental Crop Production

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  1. Converting Tobacco Float Houses for Edible and Ornamental Crop Production Rebecca Schnelle Extension Floriculture Specialist University of Kentucky

  2. #1 – What to grow? • #2 – How to sell it? • #3 – Do the budget • #4 – Convert the greenhouse • #5 – Grow the crop

  3. #1 - What to Grow • Annual flower and vegetable flats • Annual and perennial pots • Hanging baskets and patio pots • Greenhouse Vegetables / Small Fruits

  4. Fruits and Vegetables Keys to profitability: Produce out of season Produce a niche market crop Leave hydroponics to the big growers

  5. Early Vegetables • High Tunnels are the way to go • In ground • Removable covering

  6. Flats – Economy of Scale

  7. Robotic Transplanter

  8. 4” Bedding plants and Potted Flowering crops – Economy of Scale

  9. Baskets and large pots– Can be more profitable

  10. #2 - How to Sell it? • Direct market • Farmer’s markets • Onsite/private retail site • Wholesale • Landscapers • Garden centers

  11. #3 - Budgeting • Example Budgets from Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension • http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~farmmgmt/Green-House/Greenhouse-Index.html • Overhead Costs: • Utilities, depreciation, insurance, repairs, taxes, advertising, etc • Variable Costs: • Cuttings, pots, media, fertilizer, pesticide, labor

  12. Budgeting - Overhead • First know your utility cost • Cost of fuel • Efficiency of equipment • Greenhouse structure/material • Download Virtual Grower from USDA • http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=11449

  13. Budgeting - Overhead • Determine the time & area for the crop • Example: 1 flat of bedding plants • 11”x 22” flat = 1.68 sq ft • 1.68 sq ft x 5 weeks = 8.5 sq ft wks

  14. Example (20,000 SqFt Double Poly House in ‘93)

  15. #4 - Convert the Greenhouse • Before starting evaluate condition • Glazing • Air-tightness • Any lumber parts • Vents & louvers • Fans • Heater

  16. Step 1 – Remove the Float Beds • Many crops will not tolerate constant water-logging • Root borne disease and Algae • Pesticide restrictions • = Not worth the risk of crop loss

  17. Horticulture - University of Kentucky

  18. Greenhouse Lettuces, Greens, Sprouts • Tank, Pond, Float Bed • Souffle cups • Easy to fill, transplant, harvest • 1” styrafoam board with holes • Sow seed, transplant 14-18 days later, harvest 30-35 days later Horticulture - University of Kentucky

  19. How About a Capillary Mat? Horticulture - University of Kentucky

  20. Step 2: Ground Cover Good: • Clean Gravel • Ground Fabric Not Good: • Un-washed gravel • Bare Soil • Soil pathogens • Weeds

  21. Think Clean • Thing that should NEVER be in the Greenhouse • Weeds • Standing water • Field Soil (sterilized media only) • Dead plants / empty pots

  22. Step 3: Climate Controls • Check heater ventilation • Ethylene build-up • Determine if ventilation is adequate • Measured in cfm (cubic feet per minute) • Natural ventilation look at area (sq ft) • Dependant on greenhouse volume

  23. Step 4: Benches • Improved drainage from pots • Improved air flow around the pots • Reduced insect & foliar diseases • Ergonomics

  24. Step 4: Benches • Aluminum framing with expanded metal tops • ( $500 for 6’x20’) • Low cost options as low as $100 • Frame • Cinder blocks (24 block for 6’x20’ about $30) with pipe or 2x4 stringers (about $20) • Used pallet racking ($100 for 6’x20’ with rails) • Tops • Slat fencing ( $0.40 sq ft about $50 for 6’x20’) • Pallets ($ ??)

  25. Step 5 Irrigation • Hand watering (hose) • OK for small operations • $$$ Labor $$$ • Hydroponics • Huge investment • Requires advanced knowledge

  26. Step 5 Irrigation • Ebb and Flood • More expensive • Highly efficient - fertilizer, water & labor

  27. Step 5 Irrigation • Overhead Irrigation (sprinklers) • Less efficient • Drip irrigation (trickle) • Efficient water & fertilizer use • Low cost – materials & labor • Reduced disease issues

  28. To other benches To Water Supply and fertilizer injector Open / Close Hanging Basket Line Punch tool

  29. Fertilizer Injectors • Pick the right size! • Flow rate in GPM • Flow rate of drippers x no. of drippers

  30. Checklist • Before • Crop selection • Market analysis • Budget • Current GH condition **Decision** • Conversion • Float bed removal • Ground cover • Clean up • Benches • Irrigation • Fertilizer injection

  31. The Greenhouse is Ready!

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