Best Management Practices: Horticultural Crops

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Understanding the Basics
  • Soil Management
  • Water Management
  • Nutrient Management
  • Pest Management
• Vegetables
  • Field-Seeded and Transplanted Vegetables
  • Potatoes
  • Muck Crops
• Fruits
  • Tree Fruit
  • Small Fruit
  • Grapes
• Greenhouse Production
• Tobacco
• Nursery Crops
• Sod Production
• References

The production of the BMP series of books has been a cooperative effort of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Related Links

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Ontario Federation of Agriculture
• Publications Ontario - BMP Ordering
• Best Management Practices - Series Information
• Horticultural Crops - Acknowledgements

Introduction

Unlike some of the other crops grown in Ontario, horticultural crops are usually grown on small acreages but are very valuable and require intensive, skilled management. Most are used or consumed directly by consumers. Today's consumers are very demanding. They want high quality and yet, are concerned about the environmental impact of agriculture.

Sustainability and competitiveness have become key words to horticultural crop producers. Growers need to be efficient in production to stay competitive and they need to conserve and protect soil and water to be sustainable. At times, these concepts appear to conflict but actually, they complement each other. Healthy soil and water will make horticultural crops more competitive.

To be considered a best management practice, an action must maintain or increase crop production while minimizing impact on the environment. In the case of many crops, this means using good management so that the crop is well-established and healthy. This allows growers to reduce treatments such as pesticides that may affect the environment. There is no one best management practice for all crops. The best ones for your farm will depend on your individual problems and opportunities.

This book does not cover every horticultural crop. Nor is it intended to give you exhaustive information on crop production. What this book will do is provide you with a place to start as you assess, develop and adapt your own system.

The book is divided into two major sections: Understanding the Basics covers problems and practices that are common to many crops; the other section looks at individual crops and outlines some best management practices.

You may wish to change your crop management system for many reasons: to save money, to increase yields, to save time and labour, to solve erosion problems or to reduce pesticide use. Whatever your reason, the first stage is to assess where you are now and what your goals are. Once that is done, this book will help you evaluate the options available.