Horticulture Principles and Practices

The National Agricultural Statistics Services of the USDA indicates that vegetable
production in the United States occurs on the eastern and western coastal areas, as well
as the South and the Midwest regions (Figure 20–1). The ten top producers of both
market types in 2005 were California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington State, Florida,
New York, Oregon, Georgia, Michigan, and Arizona.
20.3.1 FACTORS FOR REGIONALIZATION OF PRODUCTION
There are several reasons why vegetable production is localized in these regions.
1. Fertile soils and terrain that is conducive to mechanization occurs in these regions.
2. Field crops are relatively more tolerant of wide variations in meteorological factors
than vegetables. An unstable environment is unable to support the production of
high-quality produce. Vegetables are intolerant of large fluctuations in temperature.
3. Vegetables comprise large amounts of water, as previously indicated. Successful
production of quality produce depends on the availability of water throughout the
growing season. Consequently, large-scale vegetable production is economically
feasible in regions where water is plentifully for irrigation at a reasonable cost.
4. Vegetable production is labor intensive. In spite of the increasing rate of infusion of
mechanization into field production, human labor is indispensable for some
operations that are still challenging to automate or mechanize in some crops.
Vegetable production is hence economical in regions where cheap labor is plentiful.
5. Vegetables are in high demand year-round. Regions where crop production is possible
year-round are suitable for vegetable production.
20.3.2 WHY CALIFORNIA IS IDEAL FOR
VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
These ideal factors previously discussed in 20.3.1, can be obtained in the California production
region. California has fertile soils for vegetable production. More importantly, California
has cool coastal valleys like the Salinas Valley with rich, fertile soil that are used to
FIGURE 20–1 Regional distribution
of vegetable production
in the United States. (Source:
USDA)
20.3 Regionalized Production of Vegetables 613