HORT 325 Vegetable Crop Production

Meeting times:

Lecture: MW 10:20-11:10

Lab: M 2:00-4:50 (section 501)

Location:

Lecture: HFSB105

1^st Lab: HFSB 115

Following labs will be at the Field Plots or as announced during class

Credit hours: 3

Professor:

Dr. Stephen King

E‑mail: srking@tamu.edu

Office (HFSB 512): 979-845-2937

Cell: 979-229-8746

Home: 936-870-4099

Office Hours: Before class (9:30-10:20 MW) in HFSB 512, or after class or by appointment. Contact me at any of the above numbers or by email.

Required Text:

Texas A & M Vegetable Growers Handbook

Texas A & M Crop Guides

These texts are available on the website, but please do not print hard copies from the website! They are not formatted for printing and it is illegal to do so!

We have a limited number of Crop Guides which will be distributed to the Fall 2007 class on a first come first served basis; We are searching for more copies of the Vegetable Growers Handbooks, but you may have to purchase a copy of this text.

Please do not print hard copies from the website!

Additional Hardcopies can be ordered through the Aggie-Horticulture Vegetable Website:

Texas A & M Vegetable Growers Handbook Order Form

Texas A & M Crop Guides Order Form

Optional, But Very Useful Text:

Producing Vegetable Crops, 5^th edition, Swiader & Ware

Additional Text:

Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 4^th edition, Maynard & Hochmuth. (Excellent reference manual; one copy will be available during lab or in my office)

The Vegetable Book, A Texan’s Guide to Gardening (1996), by Sam Cotner.  (Available in the Horticulture Department)

Vegetable Crops (2000), by Dennis Decoteau. (Available in my office)

Texas A & M Commercial Organic Vegetable Production Guide

Additional Resources are Available from the Aggie-Horticulture Vegetable web site:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/veg.html

 
Course Description:

Origin, nutritive value, economic importance, botany and cultural practices of the major vegetable crops. Lab activities include organic and non-organic production of major vegetable crops.

Prerequisite: None.

Course Objectives:

Students taking this course will be able to understand the principles, production practices, management, harvest, handling, and marketing of the major vegetable crops, in the context of today’s commercial production systems.  Students should gain an understanding of the importance and botany of the major vegetable crops. It is expected that students will be able to apply these principles and practices in a range of future activities, from home gardening to commercial vegetable growing. The course will be taught as two lecture hours and one lab section per week along with a group marketing project.  Class participation in the form of discussion is both encouraged and expected.  Participation may help boost a student’s grade if he/she is near the border of a letter grade. 

 

Labs:

Lab can be physically tiring. Don’t overwork yourself. Wear sun screen and a hat. Take short breaks as needed. Use the water provided or bring your own sports drink or water bottle - drink plenty of water! You are required to leave the plots and take refuge if lightning occurs or if the lightning warning siren sounds.  It is recommended that you leave the plots during short downpours. Take refuge in the nearest shelter or in your vehicle. If inclement weather is likely, do not walk or ride your bike to the plots unless someone else is there with a vehicle where you can take refuge.

The field plots are located between FM2818 and Finfeather Rd. near Villa Maria Rd. Transportation will be provided, but most students prefer to drive there own vehicles. This is your choice, but the route to the field includes field roads, which are full of pot holes and other obsticles. There is a gravel road and place to park within ~100 yards of the field where you can either walk to the field or someone can pick you up. You are encouraged to visit your plots outside of the scheduled lab period, but do not give others the combination to the gate or go into any other plots.