Andrew Mefferd spent seven years in the research department at Johnny’s Selected Seeds, traveling around the world to consult with researchers and farmers on the best practices in greenhouse growing. He put what he learned to use on his own farm in Maine. He is now the editor and publisher of Growing for Market magazine. Previously, he worked on farms in six states across the United States before starting his own farm. Andrew also works as a consultant on the topics covered in this book. For more about the magazine, please visit www.growingformarket.com. For more information on consulting, see www.andrewmefferd.com.
“This comprehensive book is a must-have for organic greenhouse and
hoophouse producers, whether experienced or just getting started.
Andrew Mefferd’s years as both a grower and a writer shine through.
He clearly explains the basics of structures and environmental
management, while also covering the nuances of grafting and
‘steering’ plants to be most productive. Growers will be pleased
with the attention devoted to the best practices they’ll need to
succeed with eight different crops.”--Vern Grubinger, vegetable and
berry specialist, University of Vermont Extension
“The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook answers the
questions that both new and established farmers are
asking, including which staple crops will sustain a farm’s
operation and how to best maximize yield. As protected agriculture
continues to grow in popularity and necessity, Andrew’s book will
help farmers at every level achieve higher profits as they use this
reference to guide them through the seasons under film. A must-have
for any grower."--Nick Burton, owner, Victory Gardens, Paris,
Texas; founder, State of the Soil
“From small hobby farmers to advanced greenhouse growers, I don’t
know anyone who wouldn’t benefit from reading The Greenhouse
and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook. Andrew does an exemplary job
of highlighting basic principles of plant growth and microclimate
modification to help producers design their own management systems
and diagnose problems in the greenhouse or hoophouse.”--Cary
Rivard, extension specialist, Kansas State University
“When we started our wholesale greenhouse back in 1974, the best
references were the equipment catalogs, and we pored over them each
night. Now Andrew Mefferd has created the most complete greenhouse
grower’s manual in the world. It contains the full spectrum of
proper greenhouse growing for organic vegetable production and all
its factors and, importantly, is detailed from a foundation of
experience. This book is a fact-filled treasure, accessible for
all. Thank you for debriefing, Andrew. You are a hero of
horticulture!”--Alice Doyle, cofounder, Log House Plants
“Finally! A book that makes the specialized and highly refined
techniques of the big European and North American hothouse growers
accessible to farmers, market gardeners, and growers at all scales,
with clear explanations of the practices and why they work. It took
me twenty years to figure out half of this on my own; I’m glad
I don’t have to wait another twenty to figure out the rest.”--Josh
Volk, author of Compact Farms; consultant, Slow Hand Farm
“Hats off to Andrew Mefferd and his comprehensive guide to growing
in a protected environment! While covering all the basics, this
book takes growers to the next level, with in-depth discussions on
the physical environment, plant biology, and their intriguing
relationship. Once hard-to-find info on topics such
as plant steering and grafting is presented thoroughly and
clearly. Importantly, the last chapters cover the practical ins and
outs of growing eight of the most significant crops for protected
culture. Every grower will learn lots from this book; I sure
did.”--Richard Wiswall, author of The Organic Farmer’s
Business Handbook
“Andrew Mefferd’s book fills a gaping void in the literature for
market growers. I highly recommend it to anyone growing in
greenhouses, or who aspires to. With experience few others have,
Mefferd explains growing techniques used in advanced greenhouses,
and then shows how smaller-scale growers might put them to use. I
kept a pencil by my side and plan to use lots of ideas on our own
farm.”--Ben Hartman, author of The Lean Farm
“This is an important book that will give growers the tools and
resources to increase production and profits in protected culture
environments. In one book, Andrew has packaged the detailed
technical growing information that took us years and thousands of
dollars to acquire for our farm. This book will be one I refer to
and recommend often.”--Michael Kilpatrick, farmer; cofounder, In
the Field Consultants
“The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook is a must-read
for beginners as well as a valuable, up-to-date resource for
experienced growers. Mefferd has written a comprehensive overview
of the elements of growing crops under cover. So much of the
food available now is from greenhouse production, and most from
faraway lands. This book will help you be the one growing crops for
your local market.”--Eric Sideman, PhD, crop specialist, Maine
Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
“Although greenhouse and high-tunnel food production is a
well-established industry, small and beginning growers have never
had easy access to information about how the professionals do it.
Andrew Mefferd has bridged that gap with this important new book.
He makes technical information accessible in a lively and lucid
style. Everyone who owns or plans to buy a greenhouse or hoophouse
should read this book.”--Lynn Byczynski, author of Market
Farming Success and The Flower Farmer;
founder, Growing for Market
“With this book, Andrew Mefferd, a firm supporter of the local food
movement, offers a knowledgeable contribution to help growers
(especially in cold climates) develop skills to deal with
challenges and reap the benefits of protected cropping. This is not
a generalist hoophouse book but a menu where growers can
select specialized professional practices to suit their situation,
whether growing microgreens; grafting, pruning, and trellising
vine crops; or ‘crop steering’ to select for leaf growth or fruit
development.”--Pam Dawling, author of Sustainable Market
Farming; contributing editor, Growing for Market
“The production of organic vegetables using protected culture to
modify the natural environment and optimize plant growth is one of
the most highly productive systems for organic vegetables. This
handbook provides a broad spectrum of knowledge on growing
structures and climate control as well as propagation, pruning,
trellising, crop steering for maximum production, and grafting
plants for natural disease control. For aspiring market
gardeners, young and old, The Greenhouse and Hoophouse
Grower’s Handbook is a must-read!”--Dr. Merle H. Jensen,
professor, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, The
University of Arizona
“Finally, a seasoned greenhouse grower has taken the time to share
professional greenhouse techniques with the small-scale farming
community. Such valuable work was a long time in the coming!
Whether you’re currently growing in a greenhouse or hoophouse or
planning to do so (and you should!), this book will teach you the
best practices. It concisely and methodologically demystifies the
all-encompassing skill set that you need to become successful at
growing lucrative crops in protected space. Andrew Mefferd knows
his stuff, and his book is absolute gold. Can’t recommend it
enough.”--Jean-Martin Fortier, author of The Market Gardener
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