by Matt Lollar
Plastic mulch beds. Photo Credit: Blake Thaxton.
Field Prep
Spring fruit and vegetable crops are usually grown on black plastic mulch, but fall crops are usually grown on white plastic. Black plastic mulch helps absorb heat to warm the soil in the late winter and spring. White plastic mulch helps reflect light to cool the soil in the late summer and fall. In order to reuse black plastic from the spring, painting the mulch is recommended. White interior latex paint can be diluted with water and sprayed on the plastic. At least one study has shown the ratio of paint to water can vary drastically without any significant difference in yield.
Crop residue leftover from the spring crop should be removed to reduce the risk of plant and human pathogens and deter harboring of insect and rodent pests. If pests are an issue or a potential threat, then the soil can be fumigated before the second crop is planted. Also, it is important to continue to irrigate the beds during the time between the two crops. This will ensure a good water distribution throughout the bed when the second crop is planted.
Fertilization
When double cropping, it is important to consider each crop’s fertilizer needs independently. Never assume that excess fertilizer from the spring crop will be taken up by the fall crop. Take a soil sample before the second crop is planted to determine nutrient deficiencies. If phosphorus is required for the second crop, then phosphoric acid can be injected through the drip.
Stringing tomatoes. Photo Credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones UF/IFAS Communication Services
Crop Selection
It is never a good idea to plant members of the same plant family sequentially, such as tomatoes after an eggplant crop, or zucchini after a watermelon crop. TheVegetable Production Handbook of Florida lists production practices for various crops by plant family. Recommended fall crops to follow tomatoes include: squash; broccoli; or cabbage. Recommended fall crops to follow watermelons and other cucurbits include: peppers; tomatoes; or broccoli. Consider plant spacing when selecting a second crop. Added holes in the plastic mulch will reduce it’s integrity and promote weed growth. No matter what crop you choose to plant this fall, make sure you have a good marketing plan in place, with your buyers already lined up.
