GROWING AND MARKETING GARDEN CRESS AND MACHE AT LOCAL GREEN MARKETS IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

摘要

The growers for Stephen's Produce began growing and marketing garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) in 2001 and mache (Valerianella locusta L.) in 2002 from a 0.15 acre backyard market garden to help supply the West Palm Beach Green maket with a Saturdaysupply of "garden fresh" produce. The garden has been expanded each year. In 2005-2006,0.38 acres were under cultivation and clientele were being served at two weekend green markets. Garden cress and mache were two of the 30 crops grown and have been included in the crop mix each year. Planting schedules, growing and harvesting meth-ods yields, and sales figures are discussed. For the 2004-2005 season, 13 plantings of garden cress and 9 plantings of mache wer made. Cress was sold for 23 weeks and machefor 20 weeks of the 28 week sales season which began 6 November and concluded 15 May. These crops were cut, washed, and baggged the day before sales. Prices were 2.00 dollara per quart bag containing from 3 to 4 ounces of greens. An average of 9 bags of cress and 19.9 bags of mache were sold each week in 2004-2005. Total production was 216 bags of cress (416 dollar) and 402 bags of mache (795 dollar).