Field vegetables

Overview

Field vegetables are a popular commodity produced in Ontario. In 2022, sweet corn had the most acres harvested out of all the field vegetables in Ontario. Green peas, field tomatoes, pumpkins and squash were also popular crops. For additional statistics about field vegetables, visit Horticultural crop statistics.

To understand what vegetables grow best in each region, visit Climate zones and planting dates for vegetables in Ontario.

Crop production

Each field vegetable requires specific management techniques to be successful. Publication 839: Guide to Vegetable Production in Ontario provides an overview of vegetable crops grown in Ontario. To learn more about crop-specific production, visit CropIPM.

Brassicas

• Chinese cabbage production in southern Ontario
• Production and handling of broccoli
• Storage of cabbage

Cucurbits

• Cucumber production
• Pumpkin and squash production

Alliums

• Garlic production
• The benefits of removing the garlic scape
• Leek production
• Shallots: What they are and how to grow them

Potatoes

• Things to remember in the spring for potato production

Other vegetables

• Asparagus crown production
• Growing non-traditional crops
• Asian vegetables grown in Ontario

Plug transplant management

Vegetable transplants are an important first step to field vegetable production. Learn more about plug transplant management:

• Growing vegetable transplants in plug trays
• Storage of vegetable plug transplants
• Starter fertilizers for vegetable transplants

Soil management

High quality vegetables require healthy soil conditions. Learn about managing soil for vegetable production:

• Management of organic soils
• Publication 611: Soil Fertility Handbook
• Understanding nitrogen

Irrigation management

Irrigation is an important tool, especially when periods of drought occur. Learn about using irrigation:

• Irrigating vegetable crops
• Prepare for irrigation during water shortages
• Improving on-farm food safety through good irrigation practices

Weather

Adverse weather and air pollution can be harmful for vegetable crops. Learn about different weather management resources:

• Air pollution injury on potatoes
• Effects of air pollution on agricultural crops
• Impact of dry conditions on potato yield
• Risk of black rot on cole crops during warm wet weather
• The effect of extreme temperatures on the tomato and pepper crop

Pest management

The Ontario Crop Protection Hub is a useful resource for producers looking for information on weed and pest control.

Crop scouting is an important part of pest control. Discover resources on Crop scouting: resources for vegetable crop scouts.

General resources

• Managing cutworms in vegetable crops
• Managing wireworms in vegetable crops
• Tarnished plant bug damage on vegetable crops
• Aster yellows in vegetable crops

Brassicas

• Fungal disease of cruciferous crops
• Thrips on onion and cabbage

Bulbs

Garlic pest management

• Stem and bulb nematode management in garlic

Onion pest management

• Onion maggot control
• Fusarium basal plate rot of onion
• Onion thrips management part one: identification and monitoring
• Onion thrips management part two: management options
• Identification of diseases and disorders of onions
• Stemphylium leaf blight

Leek pest management

• Leek moth: a pest of allium crops

Roots

• Carrot weevil control
• Millipedes in carrots and sweet potatoes
• Bulb and stem nematode in onions and carrots
• Weed management in carrots
• Carrot insects
• Identification and management of carrot root diseases

Potatoes

• Common potato insects: scouting guidelines
• Colorado potato beetle dip test

Other vegetables

• Insects, diseases and disorders of asian vegetables
• Fusarium yellows of celery
• Aphids infesting lettuce and celery in Ontario
• Identification and management of celery leaf blights
• Celery leaf curl (anthracnose)
• Reducing the impact of Potato Virus Y in solanaceous crops

Storage

Cold storage can be used to maintain a consistent measure of quality and quantity in produce. Learn about using cold storage and how to solve potential problems:

• Troubleshooting cold storage problems
• Forced-air cooling systems for post-harvest fresh fruits and vegetables

Other management resources

Learn about additional management techniques for field vegetables:

• Season extension techniques for vegetable crops
• Managing wash water to protect your farm stream
• Specialty vegetable markets in Ontario