Site Selection

Environmental Factors

v Climate

– Rainfall, Temperature, Wind, Hail & Ice

v Topography

v Soils

v Water

v Air

Economic Factors

v Land Cost

v Labor Availability & Cost

v Facilities, Utilities

v Competition

v Transportation

v Local Taxes, Permits, Zoning

Biological Factors

v Insects & Related Pests

v Disease

v Weeds

v Mammals

Site Layout

Allocation Priorities

v Field Production

v Seed Beds

v Liner Beds

v Container Production

v Buildings

Planting Design

v North-south row orientation provides even light interception. Only orient rows east-west if using lath shade.

v Width between rows will depend on size of equipment and end size of plants.

Seed Beds

v Width usually between 3 to 5 ft

v Spacing of seeds is determined by germination rate.

v Thin seedlings after germination and emergence of first true leaves to between 2 to 5 inches apart.

Liner Beds

v Liners are either planted in individual rows (3 to 12 inches apart) or in beds similar to seed beds in bed width but wider spacing between plants.

v Spacing depends upon desired final size of liner

Factors Affecting Spacing

v 1. Land cost

– The more expensive the more need to use efficiently.

v 2. Equipment size and cultural practices

– Need enough space for operation of equipment and culture operations

v 3. Plant size desired

– smaller plants = closer spacing

– larger plants need more room to grow

v 4. Cultivar

– Plants with upright growth habit need less space than spreading growth habit.

v In-row spacing = final width of crop

v Between-row spacing = Final width of crop + minimum equipment operating width

Example

v Canopy diameter = 8 feet

v Equipment need = 6 feet

v Between-row space = 14 feet

v Space by beds for containe