Unexpected shifts in weather patterns and unpredictable market prices are risks and opportunities that cucurbit growers face in every growing season. Managing the risks of drought, excess rain, high humidity, insect and disease pressures and consumer changes in demand for specific kinds of high-quality vegetables is a continuous juggling act. Crop diversification is one risk management strategy that many cucurbit growers practice to spread the risks of production failure (or a glut of overabundance) and shifts in consumer preferences. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and food distribution shortages prompted a larger than usual number of households to plant gardens in spring 2020, especially tomatoes. Anecdotal stories in my community this summer reported an abundance of tomatoes, but a shortage of cucumbers. I sold my high tunnel English cucumbers for $1 apiece all season at a small rural farmers market.

Crop diversification. Field and farm diversification strategies include selecting a variety of different types of cucurbits and different varieties, integrating cucurbit production systems with cover crops, crop rotations with non-cucurbit plant species, and production systems that incorporate both cucurbit and non-cucurbit vegetables. These risk-reducing strategies along with exclusion net systems can help growers better manage the risks associated with variabilities in weather, pest and disease uncertainties and give growers flexibility in responding to variations in consumer demand, markets and price fluctuations.

A 2017 random sample survey of all Ohio and Michigan fruit and vegetable growers (Han et al. 2018) showed that 72% of all surveyed organic growers grew squash and melons. Of these growers, 85% also grew five or more specialty crops that were not in the cucurbit family. Ninety-three percent grew tomatoes and pepper crops with their organic squash and melons (figure 3).  About 70% of organic squash and melon growers also grew leafy greens (73%), peas and beans (73%), root crops (e.g., beets, carrots) (73%), species of the onion family (e.g., garlic, leeks, chives, bulb onions) (72%), different kinds of potatoes (70%), and stalk greens such as asparagus (69%).

 

The cucurbit family has over 900 species including cucumber, squash, melon, pumpkins, and gourds.  

Pumpkins and squash are major sources of income for specialty crop growers. These two cucurbits make up 18% of the USDA 2020 National Retail Special Crop report on the top 10 vegetables being marketed in the US.

Post-harvest is a good time to assess your cucurbit crop production systems and market demand. Cropping system diversification factoring in changing climate and weather patterns, performance of current production systems, changing preferences of your consumers, markets and prices; and availability of new technologies to address pest and disease challenges can help reduce risks and profitability losses.

 

• Han, Guang, Ethan D. Schoolman, Lois Wright Morton, J G Arbuckle. 2018. 2017 Survey of Specialty Crop Growers in Michigan and Ohio.  Sociology Technical Report 1055 Iowa State University; HE-2018-03 Rutgers.
• USDA National Retail Report Specialty Crops Vol XIV-No 42 October 16, 2020.