Over the years in extension I have often had opportunity to consult with folks interested in growing specialty crops. Many have experience with other agricultural crops and have been farming for years, some are already involved in some aspect of specialty crop farming, while a fair share are new growers with limited experience. Many have preconceptions and are idealistic in their goals; others being more practically grounded.

Rhubarb is an over-looked vegetable that can be a good choice as a complementary spring vegetable, particularly for strawberry growers, and other early season roadside marketing situations.

Bringing awareness to, and development of effective roadside marketing techniques was first addressed in the bustling fresh vegetable markets of Ohio. Dr. Ed Watkins, now retired from Ohio State University, played a significant role in helping to improve these markets.

One of the reasons we are re-visiting these crops is to focus on their potential for SW Virginia, where crucifers, in particular cabbage, have been grown for decades in the elevational regions near Hillsville.

Over the past several years, when and where we can, cooperative extension has introduced the GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) program to fresh produce growers across the state. In particular the message has been directed to our wholesale growers who sell to brokers and commercial chain stores.

Produce safety is a topic all growers need to be concerned about. As we move into the busy peak of the harvest season here in Virginia, keep in mind two primary areas of safety concern:

1. Use of registered pesticides only, and abiding by re-entry and harvest interval restrictions for pesticides.
2. Bacterial contamination of produce.

In June the folks at Cornell released a new guide for pumpkin production entitled "Pumpkin Production Guide" by Dale Miles Riggs, a noted pumpkin researcher, and several other contributing authors.

Over the years that strawberry plasticulture has been implemented in the region, growers have relied on only a few cultivars, most notably "Chandler" and "Camarosa", to support this high-dollar industry. Last month, Dr. Jim Ballington of NC State announced the public release of a new cultivar developed through his breeding program.

Depending on where you are in Virginia, cantaloupe harvest has been ongoing since mid-to late June in the Southeast, and early July in the Piedmont and Southwest. Watermelon harvest is in full swing in the east and just starting for growers in the Southwest. These two types of melons make up the majority of acreage in the state, though there are some honeydew and specialty melons such as casaba, crenshaw and french charentais grown for direct markets.

Garlic is a crop that can be grown organically with a minimum of effort. It is usually planted in the Fall so that cloves have time to grow and develop roots, and meet chilling requirements for proper bulbing in the Spring.

Late fall, winter and early spring is an important period of management for small fruit crops such as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, blueberries, and currants/gooseberries. Paying attention to management details during this time helps to ensure a successful crop the following season.

Across the state, organic production of specialty crops is on the increase, particularly on small farms and direct market operations.

The potential of bringing early vegetable crop sales into the strawberry season is a marketing opportunity worth considering. It makes sense to have early season vegetable crops available as customers come out for the first strawberries of the season.

More often than not you have heard recommendations that call for planning planting activities a year in advance for perennial crops such as small fruit: blueberries, brambles and strawberries. This recommendation is an important one and made for several key reasons: future weed control, fertility management, soil building, and to facilitate early planting.

Asparagus, (Asparagus officinalis), is a hardy perennial vegetable belonging to the Lily Family. It is grown for its succulent early spring vegetative shoots that originate from an underground crown (Figure 1). Nutritionally, asparagus is almost 92 percent water, and it provides fairly high amounts of carbohydrates, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, and phosphorus. A native of coastal Europe, asparagus has naturalized over much of the eastern United States. With the assistance of man and birds that have spread the seeds, asparagus can be found in gardens, old homesteads, fencerows, roadsides, and railroad right of ways across the state. It is well adapted to most of Virginia, preferring well-drained loam soils and easily tolerating winter cold and summer heat. Asparagus is long lived, and a well-managed planting can last 10 to 15 years. For those considering it as a potential crop, good planning and soil preparation are essential for long-term success.

Introduction: Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis, is a hardy perennial vegetable belonging to the Lily Family. It is grown for its succulent early spring vegetative shoots that originate from an underground crown.

Blueberries are long-lived, woody perennial shrubs that produce an annual crop of one-quarter- to threequarter- inch diameter berries (Figure 1). They are members of the Ericaceae family that includes plants adapted to acid soil such as azaleas and rhododendrons. Blueberries are naturally found in well-drained, but nutritionally poor organic sands. In some areas of the country (southern New Jersey, southwest Michigan, and the Carolina coastal plains) where these soils are prevalent, important commercial production exists. Blueberries can be successfully grown in mineral (clay, loam mix) soils, but can be a special challenge for growers out of the natural adaptation zones. Careful site and cultivar selection, site preparation, and proper cultural practices are critical to ensure success.

Planting of bare-root stock should be scheduled as early as possible in the spring (Feb-March) when the danger of severe frost has passed. Containerized plants can be set in the fall (Sept-Oct.), in all but the coldest elevation regions.

For those familiar with ginseng they know it as a tender perennial native of the Appalachian region. As a wild plant it has been sought after and dug since the times of Daniel Boone, who reportedly was into the export business of this profitable root which still enjoys great demand as a medicinal herb in Asian markets.

Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is an herbaceous perennial that is grown for its tender, edible, immature flower buds. The globe artichoke should not be confused with Jerusalem artichoke, another member of the composite family native to North America, which is grown for its fleshy tubers. Globe artichoke plants can become large: four to five feet tall and wide, with long, heavily serrated silvery green leaves (Figure 1a). Unopened flower buds resemble large pinecones (Figure 1b). Buds can grow up to three to four inches in diameter, are rounded at the base, and tapering to the tip or blocky in shape. Many spiny, pointed, green bracts (small, leaf-like structures) surround the hidden flower parts. The buds are harvested at an immature stage before they open and expose the flower. The base of each bract and the large fleshy base or receptacle (artichoke “heart”) on which the flower and bracts are borne are fleshy and edible. If the buds are allowed to mature and open, the resulting flowers are quite attractive, large, and fragrant (Figure 1c).

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana Gaertn., Mey, and Scherb.) is an herbaceous perennial. It can grow to two to three feet tall and wide and has a distinct rosette growth habit with numerous erect and long-petioled leaves originating from a central crown (Figure 1). Plants develop a deep root system of multiple branches and many finer rootlets. The roots are thick and fleshy tan to medium brown and smooth to corky on the outside and pure white on the inside. The edible, very pungent

Ornamental gourds are an important addition to the fall sales mix, along with pumpkins, Indian corn, and fall mums (Figure 1). They fit both direct market and commercial bulk sales outlets. Like pumpkins, gourds are usually packed by bulk box or bin for shipping. In direct markets, they usually are sold by the piece, sometimes by weight. Compared to pumpkins, gourd market windows are longer with the advantage of being sold through the Thanksgiving holiday season. Gourds also can be sold throughout the year as a decorative craft items, such as birdhouses and carved or decorated gourds (Figure 2). Gourd crafting represents a significant value-added opportunity for the creative marketer and is not bound by traditional marketing seasons for produce.

Pawpaw (Asimina spp.) is a native fruit crop that is in the beginning phases of domestication in this country. As it is adapted to a commercial orchard setting, many issues related to genetic refinement, production and culture, handling, use, and marketing are being addressed by various research and educational programs. The primary effort is coordinated by Kentucky State University where an intense program was initiated in the 1980s. This publication provides basic background information about pawpaw, its potential, and the issues related to its development as a niche specialty crop in Virginia and throughout the Eastern U.S.

This first article of a two-part series provides some background information about pawpaw, and its potential and problems in development as a niche specialty crop in the Eastern US.

The following article is the second and final part of this specialty crop profile on pawpaw:

PART 2: GROWING PRACTICES

Popcorn is a niche crop often seen in various direct market settings. Usually marketers buy pre-packaged shelled product or sell the small ears as an ornamental along with the other types of Indian corns on the market.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is an herbaceous edible perennial and a member of the buckwheat family. It has also been classified as Rheum rhaponticum, Rheum x hybridum, and Rheum x cultorum, and there are many related, non-edible Rheum species. It is native to Siberia, and has been used as a medicinal plant in Asia for over 5,000 years. Rhubarb was once a very well-known and popular vegetable in this country. But it is not as widely grown as it was in the past. Introduced by European settlers in the 1700s, it is commonly known as “pie plant” and is grown for its edible, but very tart leaf petioles (leaf stalks), which can reach 12 to 18 inches long and one to two inches thick with a crispy texture similar to a large celery stalk (Figures 1a, b). The leaves are toxic because of their oxalic acid (soluble oxalates) content, which can cause human and animal poisoning and must be trimmed from the petiole prior to use.

Nut crops such as walnuts (Juglans nigra) and pecans (Carya illinoensis) have potential for small-scale production and direct marketing in many parts of Virginia. Growing and handling are specialized, and while marketing is niche oriented, demand can be good for fresh, high quality nuts, used both for eating out of hand and for cooking purposes.

Many readers may be familiar with globe artichoke, an herbaceous perennial and relative of thistle harvested for its immature flower buds. The market for this crop is dominated by California, which has several coastal areas amenable to perennial production of this unique crop. In recent years, annual production of artichoke in the desert areas of California and Arizona has grown, where off-season production under cooler winter temperatures is employed.

Garlic is an important crop for many market growers in Virginia. For direct marketers, garlic can be an important sales item to complement other early summer crop offerings. Though it requires advance site preparation and planning, garlic is generally an easy crop to grow, and one which lends itself well to organic production.

Each year I observe more direct market and wholesale growers adding gourds to their fall sales mix, along with pumpkins, ornamental corn and fall mums. Proper harvest timing, handling and curing are important to ensure maximum longevity of gourds once the consumer brings them home.

For small fruit growers, the challenge of weed management is one of the greatest they will face to successfully grow these crops. Factors such as climate, weed introductions and adaptability, and years of agricultural activity have come together to select for weed species that are aggressive and persistent. Without management, weeds compete with crops for light, nutrients and water, resulting in stressed plants, poor fruit quality and yield.