Success StoryKoru Gardens



Koru Gardens

Author: Daniel Becker

Planning Unit: Horticulture

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Andrew Hammonds, owner of Koru Gardens, in Lone Oak, McCracken County is an ongoing cooperator. Vegetables and small fruit crops are used to supply a seasonal, share based CSA as well as local farmers markets. Koru Gardens distinguishes itself from other suppliers locally by being the only one that uses organic inspired production practices for all products. In entirety the area of horticultural plantings at Koru Gardens totals approximately five acres, three in vegetable crops and two in small fruits, with more planned for the future. Mr. Hammonds is new to growing vegetable and fruit crops but has prior experience in other agriculture related fields. The original intent of the garden was to use bare soil management practices for vegetable production. However, this proved difficult due to weed competition, resulting in poor stands and productivity, along with significant labor expenditures in tilling and hand weeding of the crops. With the use of the Rainflo model 2600 series II plastic mulch layer and model 1600 series II water wheel transplanter as well as program supplied plastic, drip tape, hoses, and fittings, 1 acre of plasticulture vegetables were planted in 2016. Further use of the equipment allowed Mr. Hammonds to plant an additional acre of vegetables on both black and white plastic. Aid was supplied in ascertaining appropriate practices in the care and management of the vegetable crops planted, including but not limited to spacing, training, watering, fertilizing, and help in choosing appropriate cultural and chemical controls when disease and insect pressure arose. Advice during on-site visits has also encouraged Mr. Hammonds to plant cover crops between planting beds to reduce erosion, compaction, and improve soil quality of the planting site. Vegetables grown on plastic mulch were cleaner, having less disfiguring marks or blemishes due to contact with soil or disease. Productivity was also increased due to increased plant stand uniformity, allowing for a greater overall yield of marketable produce. Furthermore, weed growth within the rows and around the plants was drastically reduced allowing for labor savings and transfer to other culturally important operations such as pest control and harvesting. Based upon preliminary observations, Mr. Hammonds is adamant about continuing as a cooperator in the future and has become an advocate for plasticulture vegetable production; he attributes much of his success to its use. Current experiences in management as a cooperator have encouraged Mr. Hammons to expand the area of production under plastic in future plantings. Additionally, with guidance provided through cooperation it is expected that plantings of fruit crops will also expand in the future, including a small tree fruit orchard that will supply apples and peaches produced with organic practices using bagging techniques to protect the fruit from diseases and insects.






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