Education Commons^™

G73-73 Sweet Potatoes (Revised June 1992), R.E. Neild, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Varieties, requirements and culture, harvesting and storage of sweet potatoes. The sweet potato, a member of the morning glory plant family, is native to tropical America. It is an important food plant in warmer regions of the world and is adapted to southeastern Nebraska. Sweet potatoes may be boiled, baked, fried, or candied. They have high food value. Varieties with deeply yellow colored roots are a good source of vitamin A.

G1425 Garlic Production In The Home Garden, Laurie Hodges, Susan D. Schoneweis

Laurie Hodges

Garlic provides flavor to many favorite recipes, is relatively easy to grow and offers plenty of varieties from which to choose. Garlic, Allium sativum L., is used as a seasoning in many foods worldwide. It isn't considered a major vegetable because consumption is generally small due to its strong flavor. But without garlic, many of our popular dishes would lack the flavor and character that make them favorites. Fortunately, garlic is relatively easy to grow in the home garden. The most difficult decision may be deciding what kind of garlic to plant since there are over 100 cultivars available from …

Nf97-344 Weights And Measures Guidelines For Sales At Farmers' Markets, Roadside Stands And Other Commercial Outlets, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact focuses on the sale of fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and other seasonal outlets.

Bindweed Identification And Control Options For Organic Production, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Two species of bindweed are commonly found in the Great Plains and one unrelated weed is often confused with bindweed.

Nf04-607 Growing Scallions (Green Onions) For Market Gardeners, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Growing scallions (green onions) can provide market gardeners with early cash flow and customers with quality increases in storage life, freshness and flavor. Growing quality scallions is easier than growing quality bulb onions simply because they are in the field for a shorter time and bulb formation is not an issue when growing true scallions. This NebFact discusses choosing and growing scallions from seed, fertilizing, the use of pesticides and herbicides for controlling pests and weeds, and a listing of seeding companies.

Nf91-50 Bee Pollination Of Cucurbit Crops, Laurie Hodges, Fred Baxendale

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact discusses bee pollination of cucurbit crops.

Nf92-107 Resource List For Marketing Alternative Crops, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact is a resource list of companies, organizations, and government offices who offer and supply information for helping the small farmer/gardener market their alternative crops.

Ec00-1207 Growing Onions, Shallots, And Chives, Susan Schoneweis, Laurie Hodges, Loren J. Giesler

Laurie Hodges

The common onion (Allium cepa) is the most popular and widely grown Allium in Nebraska home gardens. Many members of the onion family (Alliaceae) are used in flower gardens because of their interesting flowers and foliage, but here we're going to focus on the onion as a vegetable crop. This publication will discuss the different types of onions and how to grow onions from onion sets, plants, transplants, and seed. It will cover the different cultivars found here in Nebraska, the nutrition, fertilizing, harvesting, curing and storing of onions.

G03-1522 Damping Off Of Seedlings And Transplants, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

The shift toward more ecological means of pest control is a driving force in research and in growers' fields. Growers need to understand how the various pathogens causing plant disease respond to environmental conditions and cultural practices — what keeps the level of disease below an economic threshold and how these conditions can be developed and maintained for more sustainable production. This NebGuide provides information on two common pathogens that cause seedling disease (damping off) in many crops. Although vegetable production is used in the examples, the principles apply to many cropping systems.

Nf92-69 Selected Vegetable Cultivars For Nebraska, Susan Schoneweis, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact provides information about cultivars of garden vegetables available to grow in Nebraska.

Growing Scallions (Green Onions) For Market Gardeners, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Growing scallions can provide market gardeners with early cash flow and is easier than growing bulb onions; they are different than young bulbing onions.

Nf92-108 Sources Of Information — Organic Or Sustainable Vegetable Production, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact is a list of companies, organizations and government offices that supply information for the gardener and small farmer who are looking at instituting organic or sustainable vegetable production.

G90-993 Basic Cultural Practices For Commercial Production Of Green (Snap) Beans, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebGuide discusses cultivar selection, production, pest management and packing of commercial green beans. Cultivars Selection of cultivars depends on intended use or market. "Processor" cultivars are low in fiber and are best for home garden and roadside markets as well as processing. These include the various Bush Blue Lake selections (BBL 47, BBL 92, BBL 274) and others such as Early Gallatin, Eagle, Slenderwhite, Labrador, Flo, and Peak. The "fresh market" or "shipping" beans have high fiber to maintain quality during long distance shipping. These include Strike, Podsquad, Blazer, Triumph, Atlantic, Gatorgreen, Greencrop, Sprite, and many others. Cultivars with …

Ec92-1248 Growing Squash And Pumpkin For Food And Ornamentation, Laurie Hodges, Frederick P. Baxendale, David S. Wysong

Laurie Hodges

Pumpkin and squash are American members of the plant family Cucurbitaceae. Cucumbers, originally from India, muskmelons from the Middle East, and watermelons from Africa are other members of this important family of vine crops. Squash, like corn, was domesticated by Indians of Central America and spread to the 48 contiguous states of the United tates before the arrival of Columbus. Squash was among the first vegetables to be planted in Nebraska. These crops can be used in many ways. The quick-growing, tender-skinned summer squash, when harvested and used while still immature, are delicious either steamed and buttered or sliced and …

Ec81-1240 Vegetable Gardening In Nebraska, Dale T. Lindgren, Laurie Hodges, Don Steinegger, Ralph E. Neild

Laurie Hodges

Nebraskans are increasing their consumption of fresh vegetables — as appetizers, salads, side dishes, and snacks. Fresh vegetables are an integral part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Although Nebraska's climate and soil are well-suited for many vegetables, most are supplied from out of the state, even during summer. Growing fresh vegetables can provide higher nutrition and flavor at less expense than buying fresh produce at the grocery store. A garden also can be a source of personal enjoyment and satisfaction. This extension circular helps the gardener decide when, where, and how to plant and maintain a vegetable garden.

G81-540 Peppers (Revised May 1990), Dale T. Lindgren, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Various peppers and their care are discussed here. Peppers are treated as warm-season annual crops when grown in Nebraska gardens. They are related to eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes, all of which belong to the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family.

G80-496 Tomatoes In The Home Garden, Laurie Hodges, Dale T. Lindgren, Susan Schoneweis

Laurie Hodges

This NebGuide outlines tomato rearing practices, cultivars and possible pest, disease and weed control problems.

Tomatoes come in a wide range of fruit colors, sizes, shapes and maturities. Ripe tomatoes may be red, yellow, orange, pink or even green. Shapes vary from globe or round to slightly flattened, pear-like or cherry-sized. Often consumers complain tomatoes purchased in grocery stores are lacking in flavor or have tough skin. In a home garden, you can grow the tomatoes you prefer, including a wide selection of fruit colors, flavors, textures and sizes. Although rumored, there is no direct link between fruit acidity and …

Nf96-313 Guides For Development Of A Farmers Market, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact contains a list of resources for starting and running a farmers' market.

Nf94-127 Growing Seedless (Triploid) Watermelons, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact has information on growing seedless watermelons.

G92-1123 Spinach And Swiss Chard, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This is a guide to the growing, harvesting and use of spinach and swiss chard. Spinach Spinach is a cool season crop and belongs to the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae), along with Swiss chard and beets. Spinach is low in calories. It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals, especially iron. After washing the leaves, cook them in a covered pan using only the water clinging to the leaves. After cooking, add salt and butter, vinegar, or mustard for added flavor. Spinach may be prepared in a souffle, creamed soup, or used raw in salads. Swiss Chard …

Nf99-404 Income Generation Using Alternative Crops, Roger D. Uhlinger, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact examines considerations for utilizing alternative crops for income generation.

Nf03-582 Early Season Extentstion Using Hotcaps, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Hotcaps are covers used to protect individual plants from low temperature stress early in the season. There are three common hotcap designs: opaque plastic milk jugs, waxed paper, and plastic water-filled tubes. They are usually used by home gardeners or market gardeners with limited production. Growers with more acres or more extensive production tend to use row covers or high tunnels that protect more than one plant. This NebFact discusses the study methodology, findings, and conclusions to using hotcaps in the garden.

Nf92-105 Sources Of Information On Herb Production And Marketing, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact gives you information on herb production and marketing sources.

Ec02-1763 How Windbreaks Work, James R. Brandle, Laurie Hodges, Xinhua Zhou

Laurie Hodges

Windbreaks are barriers used to reduce and redirect wind. They usually consist of trees and shrubs but also may be perennial or annual crops and grasses, fences, or other materials. The reduction in wind speed behind a windbreak modifies the environmental conditions or microclimate in this sheltered zone.

G74-108 Wilts Of Cucurbits (Revised October 1994), James R. Steadman, David L. Keith, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Discussion covers the symptoms, disease cycles, and control measures for bacterial and Fusarium wilts of cucurbits, including cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelons, squash, and pumpkins. Wilt caused by squash vine borer also is covered.

Nf92-104 Post-Harvest Handling Of Commercial Vegetable Crops -- Resource List, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact gives a resource list for post-harvest handling of commercial vegetable crops.

Nf91-51 Kale: The "New" Old Vegetable, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact discusses kale.

Nf92-53 European Corn Borer Injury To Peppers, Frederick P. Baxendale, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact discusses European corn borer injury to peppers.

G92-1084 Culture Of Cole Crops, Laurie Hodges, R.E. Neild

Laurie Hodges

How to grow successfully broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi. Cole crops, which include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi, can be successfully grown on most soils if drainage is good and the crop is supplied with adequate water and nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Light-textured soils usually produce earlier crops but heavier soils hold more moisture and tend to produce crops that hold quality longer at maturity. Cole crops have shallow root systems. Inadequate moisture may cause small cauliflower heads to form prematurely. Rainfall or irrigation following a prolonged dry spell may cause splitting of cabbage and kohlrabi. Supplemental …

Nf92-106 Reference Material For Commercial Vegetable Producers And Extension Agents, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact gives you information on reference material for commercial vegetable producers and Extension Agents.