However, with a little cover, most farmers have a variety of crops to pick from. Quick-growing selections, soil conditioners, and hearty roots and greens are some of the best for cooler seasons. Depending on what is chosen, there may be tending to do even as winter draws near. 

It’s important to know which plants work for your farm and region. And if you’re farming in a temperate region of North America, there’s a strong likelihood you have many options. 

Consider Season Extension

If you haven’t implemented season extenders on the farm yet, it’s worth considering them. These allow you to grow beyond terminal frost dates. Their built-in complexity is completely up to you. 

Low tunnels are an easy thing to add to crop rows of plants that are frost-tolerant, but won’t survive a hard freeze. The tunnel is usually covered by frost cloth. The structure promotes heat within the tunnel that protects the soil underneath to a degree. 

Cold frames are also an option, and you can make one of these with repurposed windows. They offer crops a more durable solution for cold protection. Cloches, too, are a way to keep plants warm in the cold, but they typically cover one to two plants at a time.

When you decide to include season extension on the farm, get your plans together earlier in the year, in time for preparations to begin in fall before frost occurs. 

Crops for September

From root veggies to hardy greens, all the way to cover crops, there are plenty of ways to continue growing even as the weather cools and frigid temperatures set in. Take stock of what you need on the farm, and add any applicable crops. 

Cover Crops

There are three types of cover crops to consider planting in September. Winter-killed crops are perfect for growers with cold fall and winter seasons, as the freezing conditions that come on kill off the crops before the season ends. The resulting debris protects and conditions the soil below, depending on which crops are chosen. 

Winter-hardy crops survive through winter, and are terminated manually in spring. Attention should be paid to whether or not conditions exist that allow the crop to survive the colder seasons. Then the crops can be chopped and dropped, or crimped. 

Mixed covers offer multiple benefits, each determined by the type of seeds in the mix. Some are meant to go dormant through cold, and others are killed by frost. 

Beets

Root veggies like beets are an incredibly cold-resilient crop to grow. In areas where the cold comes later, or doesn’t come at all, successions of beets sown a couple of weeks apart offer food and revenue all winter long. Start in September, and continue sowing through March in this case. 

In colder areas, protection in the coldest season is needed. Any will work, as most beets withstand light frosts even without it. In the very cold parts of winter in areas where winter is serious business, cold frames help. 

In areas where cold protection isn’t present, sowing a crop of beets now is just fine. Look for varieties with maturation periods that are shorter, or harvest baby beets before the hard freezes roll in. 

Lettuce

Supple and quick-growing lettuces are an easy win in late summer to early fall. Most varieties have a short number of days to maturity. Iceberg types usually don’t need more than three months for full formation. Baby greens are easy for farmers in every region. 

Because lettuce is always in high demand, there is so much to pick from. Growing through frost is possible, too, as even supple greens have a little cool-weather tolerance. Just ensure the more sensitive greens have a cover when there’s a freeze.  

Hardy Greens

If lettuce leaves are too sensitive for your farm in fall, there are tons of hardier selections. Collards, kale, chard, and even spinach have a greater tolerance for cold. In areas where they won’t withstand the strength of the first frost, baby greens are just fine. 

Asian greens like mizuna, bok choy, and tatsoi have short maturation periods and are usually ready within one to two months. Arugula can handle temperatures down to the low 20s (~-7°C). Planting a mix of greens together gives you options for what you’ll bring to market. 

Giving them protection through late fall’s chill keeps them going, and could help them perennialize in areas where the soil doesn’t freeze over winter. 

Radishes

Just as beets are an option for fall growing, radishes are too. There’s little to stop you from being successful with smaller varieties like French Breakfast or Cherry Belle. These are ready within a month, meaning even farms with cold winter looming can glean another yield. 

In protected areas, or those with milder cold seasons, larger, more specialized varieties are an option. Farmers with a couple of months at their disposal can grow black radishes, which offer a spicier flavor profile and a striking appearance in whatever dish they’re added to. 

Sowing successions of smaller types is a great way to gather a ton before it’s impossible to grow them, whether due to cold or summer’s oncoming heat. 

Grains

For centuries, grains have been a staple of cold-weather growing. For instance, the Whole Grains Council recognizes September as Rice and Wild Rice Month. While these plants are very different, they both are viable crops to sow in September. 

If you want to get more out of your cover crop, oats are a good crop for farms in areas that get a cold (but not too cold) winter. Rye is a resilient crop even in colder areas. Winter wheat is a standby for growers all over and provides cover for fields, protecting the soil when freezes arrive.

Pick a grain that adapts well to your region and matures in time for you to do the work before spring picks up. 

Cool Season Grasses

Ranchland is not exempt from this list. It is possible to have a year-round supply of forage for livestock. Plant ryegrass in September to provide for herds in colder seasons. Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are other viable options. 

The only thing to note before planting these is whether or not you’re working with NCRS. If you want to maintain a regenerative ranch, always plant cool-season native grasses and avoid those that spread into natural areas, pushing out other plants. 

Garlic

Bulbous garlic is an easy win in home gardens and farms alike. Due to its size, it can be interplanted with beets and greens. Even orchards benefit from garlic plantings. While farms with later frosts should wait to plant, those with a quick onset of frost can plant now. 

It will take roughly nine months for garlic to fully mature, but it’s worth it. Specialty bulbs go for quite a bit in the commercial realm. Having some to enjoy yourself is wonderful too. The great thing about garlic is that it keeps on giving. You’ll have plenty to share, sell, or keep for seed to plant next fall. 

Carrots and Parsnips

In mild cold areas, overwintering carrots and parsnips is easy, especially with the added shelter of a cold frame, cloche, or low tunnel. Farms in northern regions need to pay close attention to days to maturity, ensuring they’ve factored in the first frost date. 

Plant them at the right time, and you’ll have tons of roots to enjoy. Where freezes are few, successions yield pounds and pounds of taproots waiting for the farmers’ market or the specialty produce buyer. These are highly nutritious and desirable veggies. 

In regions with a quick onset of cold, choose varieties that produce smaller roots. 

The post 9 Crops to Sow in September appeared first on Modern Farmer.

The technique’s success is surprising, as it shows that crops don’t need daily watering and pampering for a good yield. There are several crops that work in a dry system, many more than we can cover here, with many tailored to your region’s conditions. 

Before next summer, consider growing some of the best dry farming crops. When this strategy is employed appropriately, the plants are resilient and still offer delicious produce that is desirable in any market. 

What Is Dry Farming?

The contemporary understanding of dry farming was developed in areas with 20 inches or more annual rainfall. However, the practice has expanded beyond these regions to any region, as farmers grow crops within the constraints of their environment. That includes farms near desert ecosystems.

The origins of the practice in the Americas lie with the Hopi peoples of northern Arizona. By selecting crops that are already adapted to a region with 10 inches or less of rain per year, it’s not only possible to grow nutritious food, but it’s also likely to result in flavorful crops. This is not a novel case, however, as people all over the world have farmed on dry land for centuries.

Some systems rely on early-season precipitation, while others simply don’t have water as an input and rely on a hardy plant that grows deep roots. Paramount to most systems is soil that is deep, arable, and that drains well. It should have good water-holding capacity. This is the foundation of a good system in areas where rainfall is more common.

7 Best Dry Farming Crops

When you’re trying to decide which of these crops will work in your dry system, think about your regional geology and rainfall. If you live in an area where rain is plentiful, it’s likely you’ll have more options. In an area where rain is scarce, choose crops that handle drought with ease. 

Tomatoes

Let’s start with an unlikely dry crop. Tomatoes do not have a reputation for being drought-tolerant. However, in areas that receive sufficient spring rains, they are a great crop for dry farming early in the season. 

At UC Santa Cruz’s dry farms, tomato plants produced ample amounts of smaller fruit. The secret to dry farming in this instance was trapping soil moisture in May by lightly tilling just as the rains rolled in. At transplant, seedlings weren’t watered, which prompted them to develop deep roots. 

These roots penetrate the layers of soil, touching the areas below where moisture is available. Thus, dry farming tomatoes was possible! But it’s more suited to areas with deep, moist soils and substantial spring rains.  

Pumpkins and Winter Squash

Depending on the season, dry farming pumpkins and winter squash is possible. What you need in this case is a mild climate with pre-season rains that ensure the soil is already moist at planting. Till very little at the start of growth, and provide a deep layer of mulch. This is the best way to get most winter cucurbits started. 

However, there are gourds that grow in the desert with very little water. Bottle gourds and luffa (which is a highly heat-tolerant plant) are perfect for dry farming. Soaking seeds ahead of time gives them the moisture they need to get started. Plant them ahead of the driest parts of the year, with enough rich soil to get them going. 

Most of all, give them the space they need to grow, which prevents them from sucking moisture from nearby plants. A wider spacing is recommended for crops that are more supple, planting them as if they are perennials that will spread over time. 

Melons

Farmers at OSU managed to grow a healthy crop of ‘Pike’ melons and watermelons in 2013, in moist soil covered with a hefty layer of mulch. In this case, the rains of the Pacific Northwest and the moisture-trapping mulch were what made dry farming these crops possible. 

By 2018, trials were completed, and farmers found the fruits were sweeter and more flavorful than those grown with regular irrigation. They had uniform size and color. What it took to grow them was good observation skills ahead of the season to ensure conditions were right for planting.

Grapes

When we think of grapes, we often think of regions with sandy or rocky soil and an arid climate. Grapes are some of the best dry farming crops that can really thrive in these conditions, and growing them without irrigation is possible. Not only has this been a practice across the most famous viticulture regions in the world, but there are newspaper articles from 1874 showing that it was practiced in the United States as well. 

The most important part of growing wine grapes is root establishment. Frequent irrigation keeps the roots near the soil line, rather than delving deep into the layers where moisture is present. Today, people use drip irrigation to ensure roots develop in their first season, then they rely on pruning and maintenance to grow a great product in subsequent seasons. 

Olives

Much like grapes, olives typically grow in regions that are dry and rocky. That makes them another entry in the category for best dry farming crops, and a perfect option for drought-prone areas. While the crop will not be as robust as it would in rainier years, olive trees will produce good yields without additional irrigation. 

Much like grapes, olive tree roots reach deep into the earth, accessing groundwater below. They are adapted to hot regions that experience low rainfall year after year. One note on olives is that some species are classed as invasive in the regions where they’re likely to be dry farmed. Ensure you’re planting a non-invasive olive before you plant an entire grove.   

Grains

A number of different grains have been cultivated for ages in drought-prone areas. Sorghum and millet are two that can handle periods without irrigation. Durum wheat and barley are also quite tolerant of drought. 

The dense coverage of grain crops keeps moisture in the soil for longer. Many are adapted to historically hot and dry regions as well. Some of the best dry farming crops are grains.

Tepary Beans 

If you’re growing in an intense, dry region, it’s hard to get a good crop of beans once summer rolls around. Most varieties drop flowers in the heat. But tepary beans, which have been cultivated for ages by people in the American Southwest, are perfect for dry farms. 

They can handle no irrigation, and still set flowers and form pods in heat up to 105°F (41°C). Tepary beans also have deep roots that reach groundwater and don’t require surface irrigation to thrive and produce. This is an excellent choice (and perhaps the most historic on this list) for dry farming. 

The post The 7 Best Crops for Dry Farming appeared first on Modern Farmer.

Because this plant has been cultivated for thousands of years, there are numerous varieties with affinities for different regions. That means, as long as your warm season lasts at least three months, there’s a vine suited to your climate. Even if you don’t have a season long enough, with the right climate controls, greenhouse cultivation is possible. 

Tracing the history of this beloved plant, it’s pretty easy to see why it has been in cultivation for so long. And learning its benefits to human health will come as no surprise. But that, too, is a worthy endeavor. 

Sweet Potato History

The wild parentage of our contemporary sweet potato originated somewhere between the Yucatan and the Orinoco River in Venezuela. While accounts and genetic analysis show that colonization had much to do with its dispersal into Europe and the East Indies, they also indicate Mesoamericans managed to introduce the plant into Oceania naturally.

Through hybridization (of which kind is up for debate), wild plants slowly evolved to form multiple cultivated species, one being I. batatas. There are other Ipomoea species that purportedly emerged as a result of basic cultivation and hybridization. Today, both edible and ornamental varieties are grown all over the world, standing up to the tests of time and elements.   

Health Benefits

Recently, people have turned to sweet potatoes as a potato replacement in their diet, due to its ability to provide fiber and starch without the same glycemic leap. These tubers also improve the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins and increase healthy liver functioning and iron uptake.

There’s an established history of using the vine’s leaves for medical reasons too, with cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory properties identified in recent studies. Extracts of the whole plant are used to reduce the effects of diabetes, and have potential for antimicrobial effects as well. Overall, sweet potatoes offer a lot of health benefits in a dense calorie package. This makes them a good crop for survival gardens. 

They’re also highly heat-tolerant, as they originate in tropical areas. In regions where summers extend year after year, sweet potatoes are a great crop. They’re also an excellent candidate in areas where groundwater is scarce, and can even be included in dry farming. 

Varieties

In areas where the temperate to warm season is short, opt for a cultivar with a quick maturation period. If the mild season is about three months, it’s possible to grow a crop of Centennial, which has the typical orange flesh and skin of your standard type. Georgia Jet matures in the same timeframe, but has reddish or purple skin accompanying its orange interior.  

Mid-range varieties, like Beauregard, with its purple skin and orangey flesh, are ready in around 110 days. Similarly, Sumor is an interesting one, with tan skin and light yellow interiors. Vardaman is a bush variety that doesn’t require a ton of space, and has the typical interior with golden skin.

For long seasons, Jewel is perfect, with a pretty standard look. This one takes up to 135 days to mature. 

Growing Tips

As mentioned in the previous section, not all cultivars require a huge amount of space to grow a healthy crop. Some types are vining, and some are bush varieties that have limited growth in the season. For both varieties, prepare soil in a three to four foot area per plant. 

Spacing

You can grow both types in containers, but use 20-gallon pots or larger, planting no more than four to five slips per 20-gallon container. Use a similar measurement in the ground. You can trellis vining types to ensure you have the room to cultivate a crop large enough for the market. You’ll get one to two pounds per slip, so calculate your planting based on this metric. 

Plant out your slips when soil temperatures reach 70 to 80°F (21-27°C) and air temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C). Get them out as soon as these conditions arise if you have a short season, as these plants are sensitive to cool weather. 

Soil

Soils should be amended with well-rotted compost, but the earth doesn’t have to be rich to produce a hefty crop. You need plenty of good drainage and ample water when the slips are establishing. After that, they can handle some dryness, but regular, consistent watering keeps your crop uniform and prevents cracking. Auto drip irrigation with a rain sensor is a great option.

Harvest

When they’re ready to remove, gently dig them from the ground, using a shovel to pierce the ground around the bed perimeter. This keeps them safe from damage. You need a spot to cure them before they head to market. Give them a one to two week cure in an area at 80°F (27°C) with good air circulation. Then transfer to a root cellar or spot that’s around 50°F (10°C) for long-term storage. 

Protect your crop from pests like flea beetles, cutworms, scurf, and black rot. The first of these is staved off by a good row cover. The other two are best prevented by properly culturing your crop. Be ready to harvest some huge tubers, along with standard sized ones when harvest season comes.

The post The Sweet Superfood You Should Be Growing appeared first on Modern Farmer.

Unfortunately, summer also brings unwelcome diseases. Pruning, trellising, fertilizing, and properly watering your plants decreases the likelihood they’ll become infected, but choosing disease-resistant vegetables is another way to keep them healthy.

These resistant varieties have stronger defenses against common pathogens, so they’re less likely to become severely infected. Not all tomatoes or cucumbers are resistant to the same diseases, so pay attention to plant labels if you’re looking to protect against specific pathogens.

‘Indigo Rose’ Tomato

The ‘Indigo Rose’ tomato produces golf-ball-sized fruits brushed with a deep purple color that results from the plant’s high anthocyanin content. Cutting into the fruits reveals a classic red flesh with a sweet and acidic flavor.

These indeterminate tomatoes are resistant to powdery mildew and late blight, so they’re an excellent option for your second succession of tomatoes. Trellising the plants will keep them off the ground and help with disease prevention.

‘Emerald Delight’ Zucchini

‘Emerald Delight’ has impressive disease resistance, so it’s a good option if you’ve fought diseases in years past. The hybrid is resistant to powdery mildew, zucchini yellow mosaic virus, and watermelon mosaic virus.

This variety also has an open growth habit that makes it easier to spot the elongated green fruits. This shape makes it easy to spot the fruits while they’re still tender and prevents them from developing into zucchini that resemble baseball bats.

‘Mountain Merit’ Tomato

If you like classic red slicing tomatoes, ‘Mountain Merit’ is a time-tested variety with impressive disease resistance. It’s highly resistant to Fusarium wilt, gray leaf spot, tomato spotted wilt virus, and Verticillium wilt, and also moderately resistant to late blight.

The hybrid plants produce medium-sized slicing tomatoes that are perfect for slicing onto burgers or chopping for salads. Since the plants are determinate, they’ll produce all their fruits within a few weeks. Planting two or three successions will allow you to enjoy ripe red tomatoes for multiple months.

‘Spacemaster 80’ Cucumber

A classic slicing cucumber, ‘Spacemaster 80’ produces seven to eight-inch green fruits. The plants’ compact size is what sets this variety apart; the vines grow only a few feet long and are perfect for containers and small gardens.

This disease-resistant vegetable also stands up to common cucumber diseases, including cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and scab.

‘Megatron’ Jalapeno Pepper

Jalapeno peppers are perfect if you want a hint of spice but don’t want to deal with watery eyes and burning lips. The green peppers are mild chile peppers that add depth to salsas, marinades, salads, and more.

‘Megatron’ produces extra-large jalapenos that can reach over four inches long. This variety’s disease resistance also makes it stand out; it’s resistant to bacterial leaf spot and tobamovirus.

‘Bolero’ Carrot

You may not think of carrots as summer vegetables, but planting the seeds in the summer is essential if you want to enjoy sweet fall roots. That’s especially true if you’re planting long-season varieties like ‘Bolero.’

This variety is a reliable storage carrot, allowing you to dig the roots in the fall and store them throughout the winter. Along with excellent storage life, they also sport resistance to bacterial blight, alternaria blight, powdery mildew, and cavity spot.

‘Sun Gold’ Tomato

A fan favorite, ‘Sun Gold’ produces super sweet orange cherry tomatoes. Due to the tomato’s poor shelf life, this variety is rarely found outside gardens and farmers’ markets. The plant’s indeterminate growth form means you can harvest these little gems for months, as long as the plants are healthy.

‘Sun Gold’ plants are resistant to Fusarium wilt and tobacco mosaic virus. Since the vines can grow wild, pruning and trellising will help improve airflow and limit other diseases from taking hold.

‘Jade’ Bush Beans

A classic green bean, ‘Jade’ has a short, bushy habit and slender, tender beans. The beans are stringless, so you can throw them in a sauté pan or even eat them raw.

The plants grow well in a variety of climates since they can tolerate heat and cold better than other varieties. They’re also resistant to bean mosaic virus, curly top virus, NY15 mosaic virus, and rust. 

‘Yellowfin’ Summer Squash

‘Yellowfin’ produces bright yellow zucchinis that stand out from the standard green varieties. The plants have a semi-open habit that makes harvesting easier, especially since the bright fruits stand out from the green leaves.

‘Yellowfin’ is a disease-resistant vegetable that can stand up to cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildew. Keeping an eye out for squash bugs and squash vine borers will also keep the plants healthy.

The post 9 Disease-Resistant Vegetable Varieties You Should Be Growing appeared first on Modern Farmer.

One such development has been the genetic modification of corn plants to produce shorter varieties. Although they’re still in development, these smaller plants have proven highly beneficial for improving crop yields in various conditions. 

As trials continue and more varieties are developed, it’s likely that shorter varieties will be the norm in certain regions. Since smaller farms can grow them on smaller plots and produce the same yields, it may be preferred across the board. 

Short Variety Origins

When a huge windstorm knocked out 16% of the corn produced in Idaho in 2020, scientists from Bayer, along with university crop geneticists and Stine Seed began genetic breeding of standard types. 

With prior wind damage to tall stalks between 2001 and 2016 coming to 800,000 hectares, they decided to reduce corn stature to limit the damage done by winds. In trials that have been in play for a few years now, scientists removed genes that engender height in plants, while keeping those that promote higher production, leaf density, and kernel formation.

This resulted in the short varieties that are in trials among 300 farms today. These show promise, with high potential for similar and sometimes increased yields, as well as flexibility in different environments. 

Benefits of Shorter Corn

The lower height of these new varieties has benefits that funnel into higher yields. When these make it to the commercial realm, farmers who skipped this popular crop due to the space needed to grow it might have a change of heart. 

Better Growth and Pollination

Short corn has a dense stature, with decreased space between leaf internodes (where the leaves grow from the stems). This makes silks grow closer together, giving them an easier time taking on pollen from nearby plants. The distance needed to blow pollen from silk to silk is much less. 

Even though the genes for the height of more standard varieties isn’t present, the plant’s growth rate remains the same. With more supple leaves in shorter succession, there is an increased chance for them to take in sunlight, resulting in better growth. 

Stronger Stalks

With better growth and less height, stalks are denser and stronger than standard corn. Anchoring into the soil increases with higher stalk density. The stem transports nutrients and water from the soil to other parts of the plant, producing vigorous cobs. 

When normal stalks are weighed down by cobs or rain, the stalks of shorter types stay upright and resist lodging. This circumvents a common problem in dense plantings of standard varieties. Upright stalks mean better disease resistance, as those that fall and lay in the field rot and harbor bacteria and fungi. 

Easier Access

For farmers who treat their crops with pesticides, a shorter stature eliminates the need for aerial applications. These types of treatments come with high risks to wildlife and to adjacent farms, including but not limited to overspray and danger to local insects, which are a farm’s initial defense against pests. 

Instead, farmers can walk among the stalks and apply by hand or via a tractor. Applying pesticides this way offers more control, and the ability to target pests more efficiently, limiting risks to human and non-human neighbors. 

Denser Plantings

Smaller farms may avoid growing corn altogether due to the amount of land it takes to grow it. However, with short corn, intensive planting is possible. That means farms with a mid-sized range can opt for corn in their upcoming season. Farms that already grow this crop can grow more.

In these densely planted areas, better growth and structure contribute to higher disease resistance. Sillage planters get a lot out of these increased densities, as there is much more material to feed to livestock. Spacing that would be applied to the usual sillage varieties can be increased. The quality of sillage is improved by more productive growth, too. 

Better Adaptability

Shorter varieties adapt to environmental pressures, which is perhaps the most beneficial aspect of growing them. High winds, less fertile soils, and later seasons are all considerations for farmers. Having a short variety that can handle these pressures is incredibly important. 

While varieties are limited at this time, there are a few available on the market. Touch base with your local extension office to get started. 

The post 5 Benefits of Growing Shorter Corn appeared first on Modern Farmer.

This is why adapting to the climate and employing heat protection strategies is crucial for farmers today. In most cases, all this takes is a little adjustment and more awareness about when the heat will arrive. How long it will stay is another worthy consideration.

By employing a few useful techniques and tools, farms make their usual revenue possible even in extremes. These methods also bolster other crops from heat stress if things get even hotter out there. Put these strategies in your back pocket in case a heat dome looms. 

What Does Heat Stress Look Like?

Plants express heat stress in numerous ways. Some wilt in the middle of the day, turning their leaves downward to prevent sunlight from scorching their surfaces. Flowering and fruiting crops may drop flowers or fail to set fruit. In extreme cases, scarring and defoliation occur. 

When you notice a plant wilting just as the sun rises, you are getting closer to what is known as the permanent wilting point, which is when plants can only absorb 35% of the soil’s capacity to hold water. Therefore, it’s important to formulate your soil appropriately so it can hold enough moisture to allow your plants to take it in at a sufficient rate. 

The result of continued permanent wilting is plant death. There are ways to avoid this, and not all of them require installing a completely new irrigation system on your farm. Many require small adjustments, with careful planning. 

Strategies For Protection

From the minute to the more intensive, dealing with heat stress via new routines and techniques builds heat-resilience quickly and easily. Think about which of these is most relevant to your farm and your practices. Then, plan how to implement them. 

Mulch

Adding a layer of mulch is a great tool for both heat and cold resistance. This layer protects the soil surface and aids in temperature regulation below. All of this funnels directly into reduced evaporation at upper soil levels, which preserves precious topsoil and reduces soil erosion.

An organic mulch provides the benefit of added nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. Wait until your crops are mature enough for transplant, and surround them with one to three inches of mulch, keeping it away from the plant’s base. Don’t add too much, which may result in compacted soil and prevent water penetration. In areas where soil compaction is an issue, a thinner layer is better.  

Intensive Plantings

In nature, outside the cultivated center of the farm, plants grow closely together. The prairie is an excellent example of how dense plantings create insulation against heat stressors. As more tender plants grow closer to the surface, they are protected and bolstered by taller ones, which provide a shade canopy. 

On the farm, we might not want to have as dense a planting as we would in wild spaces due to increased incidences of pests and diseases. But we do want to include more intensive plantings than our seed packets instruct to cover the soil and protect it from sun erosion. 

This is where companion planting comes in. If we’re growing a tall plant with shallow roots, including a low- growing plant as a living mulch is a way to protect both plants and the soil from heat exposure. Increasing our frequency of a single planting and condensing our spacing acts similarly, if not quite as efficiently. 

Adjust Irrigation Techniques

If you’ve been hand watering on the farm, it might be time to switch things up. While this is a completely viable and acceptable way to grow plants, trying new ways of watering in more experimental plots is a good idea. If you don’t have the space to experiment, try out these methods in temperate seasons when stressors aren’t present to see what works for you. 

Furrow Irrigation

While not the most efficient irrigation method, furrow watering is an ancient and reliable way to water. Today, over 23,000 acres of American farmland is irrigated this way. The technique simply involves flooding small trenches that run along rows of crops with water. It’s a cheap and easy-to-execute way to improve the irrigation process. 

There are things to consider when you use this method. Firstly, trenches shouldn’t exceed .5% grading to limit soil erosion. Gentle slopes are usually enough, which is part of what makes this an easy way to water your crops. Sandy soils benefit from deeper furrows, while clay soils do best with shallower ones. 

When it comes to the actual act of irrigating, you can get as technical as you want. It could be as simple as filling the furrow at one end with a hose or using a gated pipe to quickly flood the furrow. The water pressure is important, though, as furrows retain water best at 15 to 25 gallons per minute. Furrows should be fairly long, at about 100 to 600 feet. Like depths, shorter furrows are better for clay soils, and longer ones suit sandy soils. 

Drip Irrigation

A properly installed and managed drip irrigation system is a more efficient and hassle-free way to water crops. Because there’s no splashing from the soil surface, diseases are less likely when crops are drip irrigated. And timers make the process of watering much easier. 

Drip irrigation kits are easy to find at major garden and farm outlets, with setup ranging from very easy to more technical. Drip tape attached to a main hard line is one of the easiest ways to include it. There are more complicated PVC systems that use flow regulators and pressure valves to channel water on more difficult terrain as well. 

This type of irrigation can save up to 80% of the water used in other irrigation systems. All that is required is the initial investment, the setup, and continued maintenance. Include a timer, and your farm is semi-automated, with just a check here and there needed to keep things in good shape.

Shade Canopy

Even heat-tolerant crops take a beating in a sudden heat dome. A mechanical strategy, like a shade canopy, is a great option for summer crops, regardless of how sensitive they are. Find a freestanding canopy that allows a portion of the sunlight through. One that is transportable gives you a modular solution to the heat. Or drop a large shade cloth over your hoop house.

If you don’t want to foot the bill for a commercially-produced shade canopy, repurpose tarps and burlap. As long as you get at least 30% light penetration, but not more than 60%, you’ll have the same production with the right shielding to help your plants through the hottest parts of the year.

Plant Heat-Tolerant Varieties 

This strategy takes the most planning, but it’s the best way to keep your farm going even when it’s an inferno outdoors. Find varieties and plants that handle the heat with ease, and grow them. Check to see the predicted weather patterns for summer, and determine which of these works best for your climate. 

Get your seeds started at the right time, and combine the heat lovers with any of the strategies above, and you’re producing even though it seems like nothing should be happening at all out there. It is becoming more and more imperative to familiarize yourself with heat and drought-tolerant plants. Have a look through your seed catalog this fall to get a head start. 

The post Protecting Crops from Heat Stress: 5 Pro Strategies appeared first on Modern Farmer.

Skipping watering means you don’t have to worry about spending time setting up irrigation supplies and or paying for the associated water costs. It also means you can grow crops even if you live in a drought-prone area with scarce access to groundwater. And when things go well, you’ll end up with harvests of flavorful tomatoes.

Dry farming isn’t a new practice; people have been employing it for centuries in regions such as the Southwest United States, the Mediterranean, and the Sahel region of Africa. But researchers have discovered new strategies to make this practice more reliable. I’ll cover some ways you can adapt this practice to growing flavorful tomatoes.

How to Dry Farm Tomatoes

As I mentioned above, dry farming tomatoes involves caring for plants without applying any water during the growing period. It’s okay to add water as the seeds grow into seedlings and provide some water at transplanting. But once the plants are in the ground, they’re on their own.

The top of the soil may look dry, but silt and clay soil hold water deep below the top six inches of ground we often work with. Soils with high water-holding capacities can retain a foot of water in the top five feet of soil, providing plants with ample moisture as long as their roots grow deep enough.

Planting your tomatoes soon after the last spring frost gives them time to establish when the soil is still relatively moist. By the time the top layer of soil is dry, the plants will have grown roots that can penetrate deeper into the ground. Mulching around the plants also helps conserve moisture, so it’s a good tactic if you want to dry farm tomatoes.

Benefits of Dry Farming Tomatoes

Dry-farmed tomatoes are well-known in California and are gaining popularity in the Pacific Northwest and other growing regions. Customers know these fruits for their smaller size, which packs all of the flavor of larger fruits into a compact vessel. The result is supremely sweet tomatoes. This improved flavor and the unique marketability are two key advantages of dry farming tomatoes.

Since dry farming allows you to skip irrigation, it comes with far fewer costs. You don’t have to spend money on driplines, headers, and hoses, nor on the labor required to set up this equipment. Plus, there’s no need to pay for water since you won’t use any.

Potential Challenges of Dry Farming Tomatoes

While dry farming is often thought of as a simpler way to grow tomatoes, it’s not necessarily easy and foolproof. The lack of moisture can make it challenging for the plants to obtain the water and nutrients they need to remain healthy.

Nutrient Absorption

Since the top foot of soil quickly dries out, tomato plants struggle to absorb nutrients near the surface where most grower-applied nutrients exist. Getting nutrients into the soil below 30 cm will help them remain accessible to plants even as the top portion of soil dries.

Blossom end rot, a condition that results when plants don’t have access to enough calcium, is another challenge of dry farming tomatoes. Even if there are ample amounts of calcium in the soil, plants struggle to absorb it if the soil is dry. Fortunately, farmers can take numerous steps to decrease the prevalence of this issue.

Researchers found that adding windbreaks near crops sheltered them from drying winds and slowed soil moisture loss. In turn, blossom end rot levels decreased. Limiting nutrient applications at planting time can also decrease blossom end rot rates, but may also decrease overall tomato yield.

Decreased Yields

Even though dry farming tomatoes can lead to sweeter fruits, these plants often produce lower yields than their irrigated counterparts. It’s up to you to determine whether the decreased yields are worth the savings that come from forgoing irrigation.

Region-Dependent

Finally, it’s important to recognize that dry farming tomatoes isn’t well-suited for every region. It works best in areas with clay or loam soil that can hold onto winter and early spring moisture throughout the summer. Sandy soils quickly lose their water, making it difficult for plants to remain healthy.

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But when it comes to planting, how do you choose the best variety? The following varieties are great tomatoes to plant out in June.

Cherokee Purple

A stunning deep purple heirloom, ‘Cherokee Purple’ is one of the most well-known and beloved heirlooms, especially in the South. There’s a reason people ask for it by name! The plants produce medium, round fruit with a balanced flavor and slight smokiness.

Although these plants are indeterminate, they rarely grow over six feet tall. They aren’t the most prolific producers, but they make up for it with their flavorful fruits. If you plant ‘Cherokee Purple’ in the field in June, you can expect to start harvesting in late summer.

Sun Gold

‘Sun Gold’ plants produce golden cherry tomatoes with a flavor so sweet they’re almost candy-like. The indeterminate plants pump out clusters of these sunny gems for multiple months, so you’ll have enough fruits to fill baskets or put up for the winter.

Although the fruits are delicious, they’re prone to cracking and don’t hold well in storage or transport. This perishability means they’re difficult to find in stores and a real treat on a market table and in the kitchen.

San Marzano

People sometimes think of bland flavor and texture when it comes to Roma paste tomatoes. ‘San Marzano’ proves paste varieties can be flavorful and delicious. This tomato emerged from the Italian town of San Marzano sul Sarno near Naples.

‘San Marzano’ fruits have few seeds and are larger than many other plum types, making them preferable over other varieties. Their low acidity and intense flavor mean they work well in applications like sauces, pastes, and whole canned tomatoes.

Sakura

A hybrid red cherry tomato, ‘Sakura’ stands out thanks to its prolific nature. The indeterminate plants produce long clusters that ripen from the top down and continue sending out more flowers throughout the growing season.

Since you can expect your first ripe tomato less than 60 days after transplanting, ‘Sakura’ is an excellent June tomato to plant if you live in an area with a short growing season or aren’t planting until the end of the month.

Green Zebra

‘Green Zebra’ is one variety that reminds us of the diversity present in the color and flavor of tomatoes. The round fruits are slightly larger than golf balls and have a bright yellow skin with lime green stripes. They have a bright, tangy taste that sweetens the longer they ripen.

This indeterminate variety can tolerate drought and heat better than some varieties, so it’s a good choice for the heat of summer. Planting this tomato in June allows the plants to grow throughout the summer and begin producing as the heat subsides.

Chocolate Sprinkles

If you plant ‘Chocolate Sprinkles’ in June, you’ll enjoy lots of their beautiful fruits less than two months later. The small, round tomatoes are deep red with green specks and splotches.

The plants are indeterminate, truly prolific, and resistant to both fusarium wilt and nematodes. Their fruits are also crack-resistant and hold well on the vine even after heavy rains.

Striped German

Some people like large tomatoes for slicing onto a hamburger or chopping up for a tomato salad. If that’s you, check out ‘Striped German.’ It produces large yellow and red fruit with a sweet flavor.

This open-pollinated variety is indeterminate, so it will continue to produce over multiple months. However, since the fruits are so large, expect a smaller number of tomatoes.

Magic Bullet

The flavor and color of ‘Magic Bullet’ is difficult to describe. It seems to pack a dozen varieties together, with a smattering of colors and hints of sweetness, tartness, smokiness, and more. Plus, all of these characteristics are packed into a small, plum shape. This variety’s appearance attracts people, and its flavor keeps them coming back for more.

The plants continue to produce clusters of fruit throughout the growing season. If you plant them outdoors in June, you can expect to enjoy the colorful tomatoes until the first frost arrives.

Cuor di Bue Albenga

Although plum tomatoes are often the most popular option when it comes to making sauce and paste, oxheart varieties are another option. The ‘Cuor di Bue Albenga’ is an oxheart variety that Italians also refer to as a canestrino type. It has a widened teardrop shape, deep red color, and a meaty texture.

Planting the ‘Cuor di Bue Albenga’ tomato in June works well in most areas since the plants take 85 days to start producing fruit. The vines are robust, and the plants are heavy producers. Since the fruits are larger than a standard Roma, they produce lots of fuel for sauces and other projects.

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From an ethical standpoint, many people are interested in pasture-raised hogs and grass-fed beef. Animals have access to fresh air, space, and the ability to express natural behaviors. They graze on ryegrass and alfalfa rather than being fed corn and soybeans. However, research also shows that these sustainable, safer meats are also better for consumer health.

The Problem with Antimicrobial Resistance

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant (AR) infections occur each year in the United States. These infections can’t be treated with normal antibiotics, so they pose a bigger threat to infected individuals. 35,000 people die from these infections in the US alone.

AR is also a big burden on our healthcare system. One study estimated that the cost to treat the six common AR pathogens was more than $4.6 billion per year. It’s important to note that not all of these pathogens come from the food we consume. Some, like MRSA, enter our bodies when we’re recovering from surgery or weakened after illness, and others, like tuberculosis, spread through the air.

The moral of the story? These pathogens pose a serious threat to both the health of our bodies and our healthcare system as a whole.

The Safety Problem with Conventional Meat

Despite what idyllic branding tells us, much of the meat we consume is raised in tight indoor conditions rather than green pastures. Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) crowd animals together indoors, where they are fed until they are ready for slaughter. This industrial system is often known as a factory farm.

Since the animals are crowded together in often less than ideal conditions, disease can spread quickly. Farmers attempt to stay on top of this by putting small doses of antibiotics into animal feed. While many small-scale farmers give their animals antibiotics when infection strikes, CAFOs utilize antibiotics in a preventative way.

This widespread, non-therapeutic use of antibiotics contributes significantly to the rise of AR bacteria. When bacteria are constantly exposed to antibiotics, the susceptible strains die off, but the resistant ones survive and multiply. Over time, these “superbugs” can become dominant in the animal’s gut, on their skin, and in the surrounding environment.

These resistant bacteria don’t always stay on the farm. They can spread through meat during slaughter and processing, through manure applied to fields, and even through the air or water. Once they reach humans—whether through food, runoff of manure, or infected air—they can cause infections that are harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat with standard antibiotics.

Antibiotics Aren’t Always a Necessity

Of course, CAFOs aren’t the only way to raise animals. Some farmers keep their animals on green pastures that resemble the farms that grace the labels on packages of ground beef and pork shoulders. The animals are given space to roam and are fed ryegrass, alfalfa, and other pasture species rather than corn and soybeans.

Some farmers who raise antibiotic-free meat have noticed less disease than when they raised animals in crowded conditions. And when the occasional animal does get sick? They administer antibiotics that are more effective than those used in conventional operations.

This lower use of antibiotics means this sustainable meat is also safer for consumers. One group of researchers collected samples of various types of ground beef from grocery stores and tested them for bacteria. Some of these products were from cattle conventionally raised and finished on grain in feedlots, some were antibiotic-free, and others were grass-fed.

Their findings showed that the sustainably-raised meat (products that were labeled organic, antibiotic-free, or grass-fed) contained lower levels of bacteria, as well as superbugs that are resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics. The grass-fed products contained the lowest levels of these superbugs.

It’s important to note that these samples show general trends, and it’s possible for conventionally-raised meat to be free of AR pathogens and for these same pathogens to be present in grass-fed meat. While no method is foolproof, the data indicates safer outcomes with sustainable practices.

So, Is Sustainable Meat Really Safer?

From a food safety perspective, sustainable meat has clear advantages. Animals are raised in lower-stress environments with more space and less routine antibiotic use, which reduces the risk of AR bacteria entering the food supply. The decentralized, transparent supply chains also allow for better tracking, less risk of cross-contamination, and more trust between farmers and consumers.

It’s important to note that no system is perfect, and food safety also depends on proper handling and processing. But when you look at the systems as a whole, sustainable meats are often safer for consumers.

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Farmers choose hardy varieties that offer protection against extremes of drought, flooding, and temperature fluctuations that challenge modern agriculture. Coupled with water-conservation techniques and adaptable planning, high yields are possible even within the frame of climate uncertainty. 

Why Climate Resilience Matters Now

According to the National Climate Assessment, extreme weather events have increased in frequency and intensity, directly impacting crop yields and quality. Farms implementing climate-resilient practices experience less crop loss during extreme weather events compared to those using conventional approaches.

Climate-resilient crops thrive in tough conditions. These varieties often require fewer inputs and maintain productivity, making them economically beneficial in addition to being environmentally sound. By diversifying with these adaptable crops, you’re investing in your farm’s long-term viability.

Drought-Defying Quinoa

Quinoa has emerged as a standout performer in water-limited conditions. With its extensive root system and unique vesicles on its stem and leaves that store water, this Andean grain efficiently manages moisture in ways most traditional crops cannot. These adaptations allow quinoa to thrive in regions with little annual rainfall.

Modern quinoa varieties have significantly improved in both yield potential and heat tolerance. Research on quinoa indicates that selected quinoa varieties can produce reliable yields with minimal irrigation – even in the hottest equatorial climates. This makes it particularly valuable for regions experiencing declining water tables or increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns.

As an added benefit, quinoa displays remarkable tolerance to poorer soils, a growing problem in many agricultural regions due to changing precipitation patterns and rising water tables. Its versatility in the marketplace provides stable marketing channels that help buffer against market volatility.

‘Oro de Valle’ and ‘Brightest Brilliant‘ quinoa varieties are perfect for large scale farms, as they respond well to mechanical harvesting. They also demonstrate consistent performance in varying conditions, and mature in 90-120 days. For smaller farms, ‘Cherry Vanilla’ and ‘Red Head’ varieties offer excellent drought resistance. For market farms, these provide a gourmet appeal, marketable to both restaurants and individual customers.

Heat-Tolerant Cowpeas

Cowpeas (also known as black-eyed peas) are some of the most heat-resilient legumes available to modern farmers. These nitrogen-fixing powerhouses continue to grow even when temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C). New research indicates cross-breeding cultivars with their wild parent species has promising results, showing pod set even in heat that cultivated varieties can’t handle. 

The crop’s rapid growth, maturing in just 60-90 days, allows farmers to fit cowpeas into smaller rotation windows. This adaptability has made cowpeas increasingly popular in southern farming regions where continuous heat is increasingly normal. 

Beyond their heat tolerance, cowpeas contribute 70-150 pounds of nitrogen per acre when incorporated as a cover crop, reducing fertilizer needs for subsequent plantings. Their dense canopy also suppresses weeds effectively, addressing the challenge of excessive weed growth that worsens with changing climate conditions.

Larger farms choose ‘Iron & Clay’ and ‘Red Ripper’ cowpeas, which continue to grow pods even when temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C). These handle mechanical harvesting easily. Smaller farms often opt for ‘California Blackeye #46’ for heavy yields, or the compact ‘Queen Anne’ variety, which excels even in cold weather.

Flood-Resistant Rice Varieties

For farmers in low-lying areas or regions experiencing higher rainfall at more condensed rates, genetically-modified, flood-resistant rice varieties offer a solution. Varieties developed through the International Rice Research Institute survive complete submersion for up to two weeks. Most rice varieties typically die after just three days underwater.

These “submergence-tolerant” varieties contain the SUB1A gene, which essentially puts the plant into a dormant state during flooding, conserving energy until floodwaters recede. Field trials across multiple states show these varieties yield 60% more than standard varieties in flood-prone areas, with minimal yield penalties under normal conditions.

As for varieties already on the market, here are a few. Industrial-scale farms in low-lying areas with higher rates of precipitation successfully adopted ‘Rex’ and ‘Jupiter’ varieties from the LSU AgCenter. For smaller operations, ‘Charleston Gold’ from Anson Mills and ‘Carolina Gold’ offer excellent flood tolerance while fitting nicely into specialty markets.

Perennial Wheat: The Long-Term Approach

Perennial wheat is one of the most innovative approaches to climate-resilient farming. Of particular interest is the Kernza® variety, developed by the Land Institute. Returning year after year (for three to five years), these crops develop root systems three times deeper than annual wheat, accessing water and nutrients unavailable to conventional varieties. 

This extensive root system protects wheat plants against both drought and flooding while significantly reducing soil erosion. This is a crucial development as extreme rainfall events become more common. 

The only pitfall here is the slightly lower harvest rate. But the reduced input costs (no-till required, no need for re-planting, and lower fuel costs) make perennial wheat a good trade-off. For farmers who want to reduce their workload and promote climate resilience, integrating perennial wheat into portions of the farm is worth consideration.

Lupine: Nitrogen-Fixing Powerhouse

Flower farmers know the toughness, resilience, and nitrogen-fixing capability of this gorgeous bloom. Lupine’s remarkable drought tolerance stems from its deep taproot system that extends up to six feet into the soil profile, accessing moisture unavailable to shallow-rooted crops.

Sundial lupine can handle annual rainfall as low as 12 inches. Lupine is a great cover crop for food-producing farms, as it fixes up to 350 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Incorporating a strip of native lupines increases pollination of fruit-bearing crops, and supports the local ecosystem. Native bees and hummingbirds flock to lupines in droves. 

Sweet white lupine varieties offer exceptional climate resilience and also build soil structure. These have been developed for their edibility as well. ‘Dieta’ has consistent performance and a sweet flavor that makes the seeds optimal for the Italian snack known as lupini. It’s a snack typically served with pickled vegetables, olives, crackers, and cheese.

Resilient Root Crops: Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are climate champions, demonstrating exceptional tolerance to both drought conditions and high concentrations of moisture. The tubers penetrate compacted soils better than most crops, accessing water below the surface level.

Modern varieties developed by North Carolina State University exhibit improved disease resistance while maintaining their natural heat-resilience. As moisture content in soil fluctuates in shifting climate patterns, disease-resistances are increasingly important. 

Studies on sweet potatoes show promise in their ability to recover from drought. They resume growth after drought periods that would permanently damage other crops. Combined with growing consumer demand and relatively stable pricing, sweet potatoes are a well-rounded option.

‘Georgia Jet’ is a high-yield variety that offers reliable harvests. ‘O’Henry’ sweet potatoes have either white or pink flesh, and excellent storage characteristics. Both are great, climate-adaptive varieties.

Almonds: Adapting Tree Crops for Climate Change

Few trees demonstrate the climate adaptation potential of specially selected almond varieties. While traditional almonds have high irrigation needs, newer drought-tolerant rootstocks can handle a little drought. ‘Nonpareil’ almond trees are one such variety. These trees were the top almond variety in the 2018 Almond Conference. They are the choice for orchardists to interplant with other varieties and boost production. 

Improved varieties feature drought-tolerance, smaller structures, and improved flavor. Their ability to withstand temperature fluctuations has also improved, with some newer cultivars showing enhanced frost tolerance, while still performing well during summer heat.

Final Thoughts

By incorporating climate-resilient crops into your rotation, you prepare for next season’s climate pressure and build a more sustainable and adaptable system in the long term. Start with small trials to determine which varieties work best with your specific soil conditions and microclimate, then scale up based on performance. The future of farming belongs to those who adapt!

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