V.L. Rosenkranz, R.Rouse
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
P.O. Box 1836 Salisbury, MD 21802

Keywords: Plastic, double crop, cut flowers.

Abstract:  Roadside fresh farm markets that are looking for ways to increase their visibility and their authenticity have traditionally grown vegetables on the market property.  The latest trend is to grow strawberries on black plastic near enough the market so that even the busiest shopper can pick a few fresh strawberries from the field on their way home from work.  The marketer can begin to advertise the upcoming strawberry crop as early as fall when the plastic and trickle irrigation is laid and the strawberry plugs are planted, and continue to advertise the strawberries through the spring as they are being picked.  The crop will produce fresh strawberries for picking from early May up until about the middle of June in Maryland.  At that time, the marketer has a few choices, either to remove the costly plastic and the trickle irrigation or grow a double crop on the same plastic.  If a double crop is to be grown, it should have the same visual appeal as the strawberries, one that is eye catching  and will bring in a steady flow of money.  Cut flowers add a lot to a fresh farm market on many levels, bright color, movement of flowers and leaves in the breezes, attracting colorful butterflies and hummingbirds, the many different fragrances that are released in the warmth of summer, and a steady flow of cash as the flowers are picked.  Flowers also give the peripheral effect of a clean and friendly shopping environment, and flowers grown on black plastic appear cleaner for picking.   Because most cut flowers are planted around the first of May in Maryland, it is very important to choose flowering varieties that will grow quickly and preform well when planted as a double crop on black plastic in the middle of June. It is also important to choose flowers that have similar cultural requirements in respect to fertility and irrigation. The varieties grown for this project include Antirrhinum ( Snapdragons), Celosia (Feather Celosia, Plume Celosia, Wheat Celosia and Cockscomb or Crested Celosia), Cosmos (Picotee and Versailles series) Eustoma (Lisianthus), Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist), Salvia (Lady in Red and Snow Nymph), Zinnia (Benary’s Giants) and Helianthus (Sunflowers  Moulin Rouge, Teddy Bear and Sunbright).  All of the varieties begin flowering within 60 to 80 days, withstand soil heat well, and complement each as a collection of flowers.  For this project, the strawberry plants were killed by the second week of June, left on the plastic, and the flower plugs were planted in between the dead strawberry plants.  The first flowers were able to be picked by the middle of July.  The field day was August 16, 2001 and all the flowers were in full bloom.

There is no full paper associated with this abstract.