production demands & time line SYSTEM LONGEVITY This is an annual polyculture system, which requires the same continuous inputs every year in terms of equipment, seeds, nutrients, and labor. For this reason, it is also a flexible system where crops that are selling unsuccessfully can be replaced, provided they also fit into the crop rotation scheme without causing any known conflicts. PRODUCTION PLAN SKETCH Site establishment The site should be prepared to a standard pH of 6,5, with high nutrient quality ( ideally a nutrient -rich loam). The crop designs here are planned out using beds of 75 centimeters in width with 75 centimeters of spacing. Each bed is 10 meters in length. Cultivar selection The selection of cultivars for this polyculture is one of the most important factors in ensuring that both production and sales are successful. Though many of the plants described here are common vegetables, selecting particularly tasty varieties that can outperform competing vegetables on the market is an essential step to achieving successful sales. General guidelines Once again, detailed cultivation guidelines should be followed for each crop and cultivar. The general principles of production in this model are based on the very dense planting of complementary crop varieties. Crops that are recommended for interplanting in this plan, such as radishes and head lettuce, have complementary maturing times. The radishes mature very quickly and can be picked out in time for the lettuces to grow in between them and mature. Winter planted crops are protected with rolls of fabric for added insulation and protection against freezing. 52 / 64 HARVEST & PROCESSING The vegetative crops here are harvested continuously for their leaves, and can go through 4 - 5 harvests prior to plant removal. All harvests are done by hand. Vegetables that are planted for the winter season will grow at half of their usual rate without supplemental heat or lighting, however, they will continue to grow. These can be harvested as needed throughout the winter season. In some cases, winter cold can improve the flavor of the crop and further boost its value. All other crops are harvested according to specific crop guidelines. OVERALL LABOR ESTIMATES Seeding, transplanting, and harvesting of each plot will require an estimated 12.000 hours of labor per year. This figure assumes that root vegetables and bulbs are harvested mechanically, while all other crops are harvested by hand. Crop thinning requires around 30 hours per hectare, hand weeding requires an additional 30 hours per hectare. Pagina 51
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