Expected Vegetable, Berry, Fruit, and Cut Flowers for Urban Farms in Utah
Authors: Sheriden Hansen, Dan Drost, Melanie Stock, Brent Black
Introduction:
Small-scale urban farming has become more common in recent years a result of rapidly increasing population growth and urban development throughout Utah. Overall, farmland acreage is declining in Utah leading to increased numbers of small urban parcels. The 2017 Agriculture Census conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), reported that from 2012 to 2017, Utah lost 16,792 acres of farmland. Despite this loss in acreage, Utah saw a gain in number of farms, many of which are small acreage operations. Thirty-four percent of the total farm operations in Utah have a total acreage between 1 to 9 acres (USDA, 2012; 2017) and 44% of those farmers have less than 5 years of experience. In addition, only 3% of fruit and 2% of vegetables needed to sustain the population are locally produced and small-scale urban agriculture plays a vital role in the local food system (Kurtz, J.E. et al., 2020).
In response to the increasing importance of small-scale urban farming, in 2021, legislation was passed for the state of Utah (House Bill 390) to establish the definition of urban farming as part of the modification of the Urban Farming Assessment Act. Part of this definition includes meeting expected yields (lbs./A) for Utah urban farmers. Utah State University Extension was asked to establish these expected (standard) yields. Utah has wide variations in climate and landscape that contribute to fluctuations in growing conditions making average or standard yield estimates difficult to establish. Climate variations include number of frost-free days (FFD) which can significantly influence crop timing and production. For example, Heber City, Utah averages 90 FFD as compared to Salt Lake City (164 FFD), Utah, which is located 45 miles to the north west and roughly 45 minutes away. This variation in FFD directly influences crop selection, planting dates, and the ability to produce high yielding crops without additional inputs such as high tunnels, greenhouses, or other season extension techniques. In addition to climate, yields can be impacted by soil and water quality, specific cultivar selection, farm management skill or experience, and many other variables. Growers are advised to keep good records to ensure reasonable yield expectations are met.
Vegetable Yields
Average vegetable yield estimates presented are specific to the Salt Lake Valley (Table 1). Yields in colder and warmer areas will vary from average yield estimates. Inexperienced growers, producers in marginal climates, and sites with unique challenges often do not achieve “average” yields. Yield estimates may be 25-50% less than expected and these are provided as guides for helping establish realistic production goals. Growers with more experience, now use more intensive production practices may produce significantly more than the “average” yield. The average yields and percentage increase or decrease reported (Table 1) are presented to help growers estimate productivity. These can be adapted to the specific climate and weather conditions, soil and water quality, cultivar selection, and skill level of the grower.
*Table 1 Yield estimates (lbs./A) for commonly grown vegetable crops in Utah. Average yields are estimates for the Salt Lake Valley and immediate surrounding area. Variables such as climate, soil and water quality, cultivar selection, and farm management skill should be considered when estimating yields for a specific location or operation.
Yield Estimates (lbs./A)1 |
||||||
Minus 50% |
Minus 25% |
Average |
Plus 10% |
Plus 20% |
Qualifier Notes |
|
Asparagus |
1250 |
1875 |
2500 |
2750 |
3000 |
Assumes mature plants |
Beans, (bush, pole, dry) |
7000 |
10500 |
14000 |
15400 |
16800 |
|
Beets |
15000 |
22500 |
30000 |
33000 |
36000 |
|
Broccoli |
6250 |
9375 |
12500 |
13750 |
15000 |
|
Brussels Sprouts |
6250 |
9375 |
12500 |
13750 |
15000 |
|
Cabbage (head, Chinese, other) |
12500 |
18750 |
25000 |
27500 |
30000 |
|
Carrots |
12500 |
18750 |
25000 |
27500 |
30000 |
|
Cauliflower |
7500 |
11250 |
15000 |
16500 |
18000 |
|
Chard |
6250 |
9375 |
12500 |
13750 |
15000 |
|
Collards |
7500 |
11250 |
15000 |
16500 |
18000 |
|
Corn* (sweet, pop) |
6250 |
9375 |
12500* |
13750* |
15000* |
|
Cucumbers (salad, pickling) |
7500 |
11250 |
15000 |
16500 |
18000 |
|
Eggplant |
8750 |
13125 |
17500 |
19250 |
21000 |
|
Endive |
15000 |
22500 |
30000 |
33000 |
36000 |
|
Garlic |
2000 |
3000 |
4000 |
4400 |
4800 |
|
Kale |
7000 |
10500 |
14000 |
15400 |
16800 |
|
Leeks |
8000 |
12000 |
16000 |
17600 |
19200 |
|
Lettuce (leaf, romaine, head) |
8750 |
13125 |
17500 |
19250 |
21000 |
|
Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, etc.)2 |
8000 |
12000 |
16000 |
17600 |
19200 |
Fruit size varies greatly |
Onions, dry bulb |
20000 |
30000 |
40000 |
44000 |
48000 |
|
Parsley |
3750 |
5625 |
7500 |
8250 |
9000 |
|
Parsnips |
10000 |
15000 |
20000 |
22000 |
24000 |
|
Peas (shelling, snap) |
3000 |
4500 |
6000 |
6600 |
7200 |
|
Peppers |
6000 |
9000 |
12000 |
13200 |
14400 |
Fruit size varies greatly |
Potatoes (Irish types) |
10000 |
15000 |
20000 |
22000 |
24000 |
|
Potato (sweet) |
5000 |
7500 |
10000 |
11000 |
12000 |
|
Pumpkins2 |
15000 |
22500 |
30000 |
33000 |
36000 |
Fruit size varies greatly |
Radishes |
3000 |
4500 |
6000 |
6600 |
7200 |
|
Rutabaga |
17500 |
26250 |
35000 |
38500 |
42000 |
|
Spinach |
5000 |
7500 |
10000 |
11000 |
12000 |
|
Squash, Summer2 |
10000 |
15000 |
20000 |
22000 |
24000 |
Fruit size varies greatly |
Squash, Winter2 |
15000 |
22500 |
30000 |
33000 |
36000 |
Fruit size varies greatly |
Tomatoes (cherry, paste, salad, other types) 2 |
11250 |
16875 |
22500 |
24750 |
27000 |
Fruit size varies greatly |
Turnip, Roots |
8000 |
12000 |
16000 |
17600 |
19200 |
|
Watermelon |
1250 |
1875 |
18000 |
19800 |
21600 |
Fruit size varies greatly |
1Yields determined from averages compiled from various university sources and adapted to Utah climate and conditions (Grubinger, 2013; Marr, 1992; Rabin et al., 2012).
2For fruiting crops like melons, squash and tomato, fruits size can vary greatly and yield averages need to reflect these differences.
* Sweet corn yields commonly expressed as dozen ears/A.
Berry Yields
Average yield estimates presented for berries are specific to the Salt Lake Valley (Table 2). Berry yields are sensitive to cold injury to the overwintering cane, as well as late spring freezes, which can cause drastic reductions in annual yield. It is not uncommon for winter injury and late spring freezes to impact crop production with yield losses of 70 to 80%. Climate in Utah is widely variable and operations located in more harsh climates and locations with unique challenges, such as high pH soil or high elevation, will have lower yields than the average estimate. For example, in Rich County operations typically produce 35 to 50% of average yield estimates compared to the Wasatch Front due to a significantly shortened growing season and prolonged harsh winter temperatures. Yield estimates may be 50-65% less than expected and these are provided as guides for helping establish realistic production goals. The average yields and percentage increase or decrease reported (Table 2) are presented to help growers estimate productivity. Estimates can be adapted to the specific climate and weather conditions, soil and water quality, cultivar selection, and skill level of the grower.
*Table 2 Yield estimates (lbs./A) for commonly grown berry crops in Utah. Average yields are estimates for the Salt Lake Valley. Variables such as climate, soil and water quality, cultivar selection, and farm management skill should be considered when estimating yields for a specific location or operation.
Yield Estimates (lbs/A)1 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minus 50% | Minus 25% | Average | Plus 10% | Plus 20% | Qualifier Notes | |
Blackberry | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 1100 | 1200 | |
Raspberry2 | 1500 | 2250 | 1000 | 3300 | 3600 |
1Yield estimates determined from reported annual averages from Utah commercial growers over multiple years and have been adjusted for small acreage.
2Yield estimates for both primocane and floricane cultivars.
Cut Flower Yields
Average yield estimates presented for commonly grown cut flower cultivars are specific to the Cache Valley and are based on data reported from field trials carried out in North Logan, Utah over multiple years (Table 3). Reported average yield is for marketable stems, meaning those that meet appropriate stem length requirements and are free from blemishes or deformity. Flowers that do not make grade have potential to be used in small bouquets and may still be profitable. Note that there is a broad selection of flower types and cultivars that can be grown and data are not yet available for all cut flower crops being grown in Utah.
Cut flower yields, like other crops previously discussed, will vary annually due to temperature fluctuations and growing conditions and individual operations may face unique challenges to their location. Farmers in colder locations can use season extension techniques, such as high tunnels, to improve yields. Acknowledging that most urban farm operations do not have space to produce in high tunnels, high tunnel yield data were excluded from the reported average estimates. Yield estimates may be 10-50% less than expected and these are provided as guides for helping establish realistic production goals. The average yields and percentage increase or decrease reported (Table 3) are presented to help growers estimate productivity. These can be adapted to the specific climate and weather conditions, soil and water quality, cultivar selection, and skill level of the grower.
Table 3. Yield estimates (Stems/A) for commonly grown cut flower crops in Utah. Average yields are estimates for Cache Valley. Variables such as climate, soil and water quality, cultivar selection, and farm management skill should be considered when estimating yields for a specific location or operation.
Yield Estimates (Stems/A)1 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minus 50% | Minus 25% | Minus 10% | Average | Plus 10% | Plus 20% | Qualifier Notes | |
Dahlia | 4000 | 6000 | 7200 | 8000 | 89000 | 9700 | Early frost can result in zero yield |
Lisianthus | 43500 | 65300 | 78400 | 87100 | 95800 | 104500 | |
Peony | 56600 | 85000 | 105000 | 113300 | 124600 | 136000 | Assumes mature plants |
Ranunculus | 87100 | 130600 | 156800 | 174200 | 191600 | 209000 | |
Snapdragon2 | 87100 | 130600 | 156800 | 174200 | 191600 | 209000 | Assumes spring + fall harvest |
Stock | 21700 | 32600 | 39200 | 42500 | 47900 | 52200 | |
Zinnia | 54400 | 81600 | 98000 | 108900 | 119700 | 130600 |
1Yields are reported marketable stems, not total stems. Marketable stems represent only quality blooms with no damage, and are of the appropriate length for the cultivar.
2Yield is based on one-year of data
References
- Black, B.L., T. Lindstrom, T. Maughan, B. Hunter and S. Olsen. 2017. Adaptability of blackberry cultivars to a high-elevation arid climate. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 71(3): 183-191.
- Black, B.L., T. Lindstrom, B. Hunter, S. Olsen, R. Heflebower, D.G. Alston and T. Maughan. 2015. Adaptability of floricane-fruiting raspberry cultivars to a high-elevation, arid climate. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 69(2): 74-83.
- Grubinger, V. 2013. Vegetable and berry crop yield estimates for New England. University of Vermont Extension. https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/vegetableberryyields.pdf
- Hansen, S., B. Black, D. Alston T. Lindstrom and S. Olsen. 2021. A comparison of nine primocane-fruiting raspberry cultivars for suitability to a high elevation arid climate. Intl. J. Fruit Science 21(1): 500-508. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15538362.2021.1897921
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- Marr, C. 1992. Vegetable garden planting guide. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. https://www.maraisdescygnes.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/popular-lawn-garden-publications/vegetables/VegetableGardenPlantingGuidemf315.pdf
- Rabin, J., Zinati, G., and Nitzsche, P. 2012. Yield expectations for mixed stand, small-scale agriculture. Monthly briefing from Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, 7(1). https://sustainable-farming.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/urbanfringe-v07n01.pdf
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2012. 2012 Census of agriculture, Utah. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2012/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Utah/utv1.pdf
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2017. 2017 Census of agriculture state profile, Utah. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Utah/cp99049.pdf