This publication addresses practical questions on organic tomato production. It focuses on the specific production challenges, including site selection (soil and climate), variety selection, sources of organic seeds and organic annual transplants, organic grafting, planting and training/staking arrangements, soil fertility and fertilization, crop rotation, and pest (insect, disease, and weed) management. Harvest and yield/productivity are… Continue reading Organic Tomato Production
Resources Category: Organic Crop Production
Explore best practices in organic crop production. Get expert tips on soil management, crop rotation, and sustainable farming techniques to boost your organic yields.
Grapes: Organic Production
Organic grape production provides a fairly predictable economic return in irrigated parts of the arid West. In the East, organic grape production is complicated by a climate that fosters insect and disease problems. Production is compounded by consumer preferences for grape cultivars (both dessert and wine grapes) that are difficult to grow in the East.… Continue reading Grapes: Organic Production
Soils and Sites for Organic Orchards and Vineyards
The perennial nature of fruiting trees, bushes, and vines allows for a more permanent, sustainable agriculture based on healthy soil. This publication discusses site selection and soil preparation for fruit plantings. It also describes cover crop and mulching options for orchards and vineyard floors. The publication discusses fertilization and the role of mycorrhizae in maintaining… Continue reading Soils and Sites for Organic Orchards and Vineyards
Tipsheet: Transitioning to Organic Management of Orchards
Tipsheet on transitioning conventional fruit orchards to organic management.
Tree Fruits: Organic Production Overview
This guide is an overview of issues relevant to commercial organic production of temperate-zone fruiting trees and bushes and, to a lesser extent, tree nuts. It includes discussions of marketing and economics, orchard design, and cultural considerations, including crop varieties, site selection, site preparation, soil fertility, weed control, and pest management (insects, diseases, and vertebrates).… Continue reading Tree Fruits: Organic Production Overview
Establishing Organic Buffers
This fact-sheets from WSDA explains the organic regulations on boundaries and buffer zones and how to minimize risk of contamination by using buffers.
Seed, Annual Seedling and Planting Stock Guidelines
This fact-sheets provides guidance on organic regulations for seeds, seedlings, and planting stock.
Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
This publication covers considerations for an organic grower selecting a potting mix to use for transplant or containerized plant production or for someone wishing to blend organic media. This publication discusses individual components of potting media in addition to organic and biological amendments to improve plant performance. Several organic potting mix recipes are included in… Continue reading Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
Blueberries: Organic Production
Blueberries are the most widely grown fruit crop in the United States. Blueberries are well-suited to organic culture, and good markets exist for organically grown blueberries. This production guide addresses key aspects of organic blueberry production, including soils and fertility, cultural considerations, pests, weeds, and diseases, as well as marketing. Additional resources are provided for… Continue reading Blueberries: Organic Production
Brambles: Organic Production
This publication focuses on organic practices for blackberry and raspberry production. It discusses cultural considerations including site selection, establishment, pruning and trellising, and it introduces organic practices for fertility, weed, disease, and insect management. It also provides new information on greenhouse production and season extension and addresses economics and marketing.