This season we are able to receive much lower salinity (higher pH) irrigation water which has significantly improved our early season growth. I would also expect it to boost yields pretty significantly. Roughly 30% of the farm is in eggplant this year which is showing excellent early season growth. Corn is responding well and zuchinni will round out our fall offering.
We are trialing a new quick maturing pepper variety called "Ace" against Monsantos X3R and Intruder varieties. Ace is much less expensive and is already flowering while the X3R and Intruders are developing stem and leaf matter much more quickly. Only time will tell which strategy will yield better under our conditions.
The hydroponic system is now planted. The vast majority, 14 of 15 rows across 3 hoop houses, are planted in Deafness tomatoes. This week representatives from EcoConsult are coming to the farm to help us troubleshoot fertilizer dosing. The trial that was originally conceived as a cucumber/tomato system contrasting both fresh and brackish water yield has been simplified to a single (more salt tolerant) crop, tomato. The 2 independent pumping systems have been simplified into a single fertigation system due to early stage technical difficulty. The whole trial will now be brackish water because we are unable to obtain the quantity of fresh water needed to run all 3 houses. No matter how well laid the plans are, the Jordan Valley will throw you a curve ball. Over 3400 Deafness tomato plants are now taking root in their perlite containers.
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| Month old eggplant starting to bear fruit |
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| X3R & Intruder not yet forked |
The hydroponic system is now planted. The vast majority, 14 of 15 rows across 3 hoop houses, are planted in Deafness tomatoes. This week representatives from EcoConsult are coming to the farm to help us troubleshoot fertilizer dosing. The trial that was originally conceived as a cucumber/tomato system contrasting both fresh and brackish water yield has been simplified to a single (more salt tolerant) crop, tomato. The 2 independent pumping systems have been simplified into a single fertigation system due to early stage technical difficulty. The whole trial will now be brackish water because we are unable to obtain the quantity of fresh water needed to run all 3 houses. No matter how well laid the plans are, the Jordan Valley will throw you a curve ball. Over 3400 Deafness tomato plants are now taking root in their perlite containers.
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| 3 of 9 storage tanks for hydroponic system - 1m3 each |
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| Storage tanks covered to avoid algae growth - Note the two return valves to stir fertilizers in holding tanks |
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| Lined canals allow drainage water from perlite bags to be recaptured in a closed system. |
