Home > Crops & Livestock > Crops > Vegetables > Results of Seedless (Triploid) Watermelon Variety Demonstration Plots in the Summer of 2009 [Image: Louisiana watermelons ] The results of demonstration plots of 16 seedless watermelon varieties planted at six locations across the state. Results of TSWV-resistant Tomato Variety Demonstration Plots in 2009 [Image: Crista] Results of 11 TSWV-resistant tomato varieties planted at seven different locations across Louisiana in the summer of 2009. Southeastern US 2009 Vegetable Crop Handbook The 2009 Vegetable Crop Handbook is a 200-plus-page glossy publication that includes all the latest information on vegetable production as well as insect, disease and weed control put together by a cooperative effort of extension vegetable specialists in the southeastern states. This is an effort to take advantage of research efforts from other states to provide up-to-date research-based information to help vegetable growers. Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations [Image: commercial vegetable production] Number of seeds/pound, seeding rate/acre, spacing, planting dates, optimum soil temperature range for germination, depth to plant seed, days to germinate, days from planting to harvest begins, approximate time from pollination to market and recommended varieties included. Revised May 2009.  more articles... Nitrogen Management in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet potato] Sustainable and profitable commercial sweet potato production requires proper management of nitrogen fertilizer. Inadequate or excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizer can be detrimental to a sweet potato crop and can negatively affect yield potential. What Amount of Nitrogen Fertilizer Does My Sweet Potato Crop Need? When Should Nitrogen Be Applied? How Should a Sweet Potato Crop Look 30 Days After Transplanting? Find these answers and more in this publication. Protect Your Hydraulic Cylinders from Rust [Image: rusted and pitted hydraulic cylinder] A common problem with hydraulic cylinders is rust and pitting of the cylinder rods. If equipment that incorporates hydraulic cylinders is stored outside with the cylinder rods extended, the rods are exposed to weathering. Eventually, the rods will begin to show specks of rust that develop into pits. Once rusting and pitting occur, the rod will destroy the cylinder seal the next time it is activated. Using a Hay Baler to Pick Up Plastic Mulch [Image: Using hay baler to pick up plastic mulch] Many growers pick up plastic mulch but several machines are available for this job. Work at the LSU AgCenter has demonstrated that, in some cases, plastic mulch can be picked up by a hay baler. Laying Plastic Mulch [Image: Shaping bed prior to mulch laying] The use of plastic mulch is a common practice for nearly all strawberry growers and most vegetable growers. Installing the mulch is easier than it used to be when mulch was installed by hand, but it can be challenging. Recommendations for Optimal Use of a Garden Seeder [Image: plate with blocked cells] A seeder can be a tremendous aid in planting a vegetable garden. With it, you can stand and walk along the row pushing a seeder instead of having to make a furrow with a hoe, going back along the row bent over dropping seeds, and then covering and packing the row. Removing and Collecting Plastic Mulch [Image: Plastic mulch lifter] The use of plastic mulch is a common practice for strawberry and vegetable growers, but there are two major problems with plastic mulch: it is expensive to install and at some point it has to be removed from the field. Several machines are available that help simplify the removal of the mulch. Knifing Carrots [Image: Carrot knives] When growing carrots for commercial production, it is helpful to run a knife in the soil beside the rows. This breaks up any soil compaction, allowing the carrot roots to grow straight. Vegetable Seeders [Image: bulk metering planter] There is a wide range of seeder types and models available for direct seeding vegetable crops. Smaller growers typically use the less expensive seeders; larger growers can justify more expensive precision seeders. Cone Guide Wheels [Image: cone guide wheel] Cone guide wheels are the heart of a precision cultural system (PCS). Cone guide wheels allow an implement to follow along a shaped bed with no effort on the part of the tractor driver. Precision Sweep Cultivation for Vegetable Crops [Image: Precision cultivation using cone guide wheels] Cultivation is essential for nearly all commercial vegetable crops since herbicide choices are limited and vegetable crops cannot tolerate much weed competition. A basic sweep cultivator can do an excellent job of precision cultivation if set up and equipped properly. Click for more information...