About this item
Best practices for the eight most profitable crops Today only a few dozen large-scale producers dominate the greenhouse produce market. Why? Because they know and employ best practices for the most profitable crops: tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, peppers, leafy greens, lettuce, herbs, and microgreens. The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower's Handbook levels the playing field by revealing these practices so that all growers -- large and small -- can maximize the potential of their protected growing space. Whether growing in a heated greenhouse or unheated hoophouse, this book offers a decision-making framework for how to best manage crops that goes beyond a list of simple do's and don'ts. As senior trial technician for greenhouse crops at Johnny's Selected Seeds, author Andrew Mefferd spent seven years consulting for growers using protected agriculture in a wide variety of climates, soils, and conditions. The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower's Handbook brings his experience and expertise to bear in an in-depth guide that will help readers make their investment in greenhouse space worthwhile. Every year, more growers are turning to protected culture to deal with unpredictable weather and to meet out-of-season demand for local food, but many end up spinning their wheels, wasting time and money on unprofitable crops grown in ways that don't make the most of their precious greenhouse space. With comprehensive chapters on temperature control and crop steering, pruning and trellising, grafting, and more, Mefferd's book is full of techniques and strategies that can help farms stay profitable, satisfy customers, and become an integral part of re-localizing our food system. From seed to sale, The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower's Handbook is the indispensable resource for protected growing.
About the Author
Andrew Mefferd has been the editor and publisher of Growing for Market magazine since the beginning of 2016. Before that he spent seven years in the research department at Johnny's Selected Seeds, traveling around the world to consult with researchers and farmers on the best practices in greenhouse growing. He put what he learned to use on his own farm in Maine. For more about the magazine, visit www.growingformarket.com.Andrew grew up in Virginia with frequent trips to visit his grandparents' farm in Pennsylvania. After going to journalism school, he wanted to start a farm on the family land. He apprenticed on farms in six states (Pennsylvania, California, Washington State, Virginia, New York State and Maine) , started One Drop Farm in Pennsylvania, then moved the farm to Maine before working for Johnny's. In addition to greenhouse and hoophouse growing, he has a passion for helping growers succeed and promoting the local farming movement. One change he would like to see in the world is for more of our food to be produced closer to where it is eaten. Andrew also works as a consultant for natural greenhouse growing and sustainable agriculture. For more information go to www.andrewmefferd.com.
