Prepared by James Quinn, Jefferson Institute © 2000. This is a list of vegetable crops that are traditionally grown (commercial production), are recommended alternate crops (oriented towards niche markets like U-pick or farm markets), are experimental crops, or are not recommended for Missouri.
This region of Missouri offers the greatest opportunity to grow vegetables
for the burgeoning urban population centers. The variety of soils and topography
associated with both the major and minor river valleys is the regions other
primary asset. Most vegetables prefer lighter or sandy soils. As for the whole
of Missouri, the wide swings of temperature in the spring, fall and winter make
seasonally lucrative production of early and late season vegetables difficult,
and cool season crops rarely do well past May, succumbing to the hot humid
summers. By any statistical standard Missouri is considered a minor state in
vegetable production.
This region of Missouri is known for its shallow soils. Special care must be
made to find soils that can support economical vegetable production. River
valleys, which could offer good locations, are extremely prone to flooding,
throughout the year. The extreme SW corner of this region has commercial
production of snap beans for processing. As for the whole of Missouri, the wide
swings of temperature in the spring, fall and winter make seasonally lucrative
production of early and late season vegetables difficult, and cool season crops
rarely do well past May, succumbing to the hot humid summers. By any statistical
standard Missouri is considered a minor state in vegetable production.
This region is extensive in good quality light and/or sandy soils for
vegetable production. It is known for both watermelons and southern peas (canned
or frozen hydrated black-eye peas). As for the whole of Missouri, the wide
swings of temperature in the spring, fall and winter make seasonally lucrative
production of early and late season vegetables difficult, and cool season crops
rarely do well past May, succumbing to the hot humid summers. By any statistical
standard, Missouri is considered a minor state in vegetable production.
This area of Missouri, especially along the Missouri River, offers some
lighter soils and varied topography that is suitable to vegetable production.
Most vegetables prefer lighter or sandy soils. As for the whole of Missouri, the
wide swings of temperature in the spring, fall and winter make seasonally
lucrative production of early and late season vegetables difficult, and cool
season crops rarely do well past May, succumbing to the hot humid summers. By
any statistical standard Missouri is considered a minor state in vegetable
production.
Although this area has an extensive agriculture base, it has very little
vegetable production. The predominately heavy soils are not favorable to the
lighter or sandier soils that favor vegetable production. As for the whole of
Missouri, the wide swings of temperature in the spring, fall and winter make
seasonally lucrative production of early and late season vegetables quite
challenging. By any statistical standard Missouri is considered a minor state in
vegetable production.
|
Existing Crops: vegetables in commercial production |
Crop
Information
Links
|
Asparagus |
In Northwest Missouri, Missouri Ozarks and Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Cucumbers, pickling |
In the SW corner of Missouri Ozarks |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Eggplant |
In the Missouri Bootheel and Interior River
Lowland. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Horseradish |
Some acreage in the Missouri Bootheel. Once was production in bottoms of the Missouri River as well. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Lettuce |
Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Mushrooms, shiitake |
In Missouri Ozarks and Northwest Missouri. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Muskmelon/ Cantaloupe |
In all areas. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Pea- southern, canning |
Missouri Bootheel leads the country in production, outside of California. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Peppers |
In the Missouri Bootheel and Missouri Ozarks. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Potato- processing |
Chipping potatoes in Northwest Missouri and Missouri Bootheel areas |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Potato- fresh |
Limited commercial production in southern Western Missouri |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Pumpkin |
U-pick and truck garden volume is significant enough in all regions to be considered commercial production. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Snap bean |
In the SW corner of Missouri Ozarks |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Spinach |
In the Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Squash |
In the Missouri Bootheel, North and Western Missouri and Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Sweet corn |
In the Missouri Bootheel and Missouri Ozarks areas. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Sweet potato |
In the Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Tomato- fresh |
In the all areas. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Watermelon |
In the Northwest Missouri and Missouri Bootheel areas. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
|
Recommended Alternate Crops vegetables for niche markets (i.e. farm markets) or occasionally under commercial production
|
Asparagus |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Good fresh market crop, avoid areas that may flood. Prefers lighter soils. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Beet |
Cool season crop best for light or loamy soils. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Broccoli |
Does best as a spring and fall crop. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Brussel sprouts |
Grow in summer for fall/winter production. Can produce throughout a mild winter in southern half of state. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Cabbage |
Widely adapted for Missouri spring and fall crops. Inconsistent commercial production in the Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Carrots |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Inconsistent commercial production in the Missouri Bootheel. Prefers lighter soils. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Cauliflower |
Does best as a spring and fall crop. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Collards |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Heat tolerant. Grow in summer and into fall. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Cucumber |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Inconsistent commercial production in the Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Eggplant |
Many widely adapted types, will tolerate summer heat. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Endive |
Does best as a spring and fall crop. Will tolerate some heat. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Garlic |
Choose type hardy for the North and East. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Herbs, culinary |
Good fresh market in urban areas. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Kale |
Heat tolerant. Grow in summer and into fall. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Lettuce |
Does best as a spring and fall crop. Will tolerate some heat. Choose varieties carefully for tolerance to heat and cold. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Mustard (greens) |
Heat tolerant. Grow in summer and into fall. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Onions (bulb and green) |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Prefers lighter soils, or peat type soils. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Parsley |
Widely adapted for Missouri. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Pea |
Does best as a spring and fall crop. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Pepper |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Potato |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Pumpkin |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Radish |
Cool season crop best for light or loamy soils. Hot dry weather diminishes quality. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Rhubarb |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Avoid areas that may flood. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Snap bean |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Inconsistent commercial production in the Missouri Bootheel. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Spinach |
Does best as a spring and fall crop. Will tolerate some heat. Choose varieties carefully for tolerance to heat and cold. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Squash |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Sweet corn |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Early and late season production is more challenging. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Sweet Potato |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Heat tolerant. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Tomato |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Early and late season production is more challenging. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Turnip |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Prefers lighter soils. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Watermelon |
Widely adapted for Missouri. Early and late season production is more challenging. Many varieties giving a range of growth characteristics exist. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
|
Experimental Crops market is not typically established throughout the state, or crop is not always adapted to give consistent performance
|
Arugula, urban areas |
Widely adapted for Missouri spring and fall crops. Consumer familiarity in urban areas is better. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Asian greens, miscellaneous |
Widely adapted to Missouri climate. Consumer familiarity in urban areas is better. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Fennel, bulb type |
Widely adapted to Missouri climate. Consumer familiarity in urban areas is better. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Gourds |
Widely adapted to Missouri climate. Where consumer familiarity or a market exists, a good niche crop. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Parsnip |
Widely adapted to Missouri climate. Consumer familiarity in urban areas is better. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Pea- southern, fresh |
Widely adapted to Missouri climate. Consumer familiarity is low. Associated with southern foods, may be applicable to certain niche markets. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Shallots |
Widely adapted to Missouri climate. Consumer familiarity in urban areas is better. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Tomatillo |
Widely adapted to Missouri climate. Consumer familiarity in urban areas is better. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Not Recommended (but may be appropriate for home gardeners) |
Herbs, culinary- dried |
Worldwide prices are too low for to expect the capital-intensive production needed to be economical. Novelty markets may be possible to develop in some instances. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Herbs, medicinal |
Price and demand is erratic. If a stable market can be found, there may be a possibility on a limited number of these crops. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
Spices, annual seed type |
Worldwide prices are too low for to expect the capital-intensive production needed to be economical. Novelty markets may be possible to develop in some instances. |
Missouri |
NewCROP |
The vegetable crop listing was Prepared by James Quinn, Jefferson Institute © 2000. Questions related to these plants should be addressed to James Quinn at jquinn@tranquility.net
