List of Upcoming Events and Products

Most Recent Ag News Article

September 10, 2025 - Sanitation

More than just taking out garbage.

As fall arrives, with characteristic fluctuating temperatures, the time has come for the annual winding down of the growing season. There is a lot going on in fall. There is the final harvest of crops remaining in the fields, the careful transfer of produce into storage and an essential cleanup of all growing areas. Whatever your situation looks like (big, small, pro or amateur), one critical step is necessary to ensure continued productivity year after year: sanitation.

The word "sanitation" itself often conjures images of garbage disposal or simply tidying up. We might think of putting things in order, making spaces neat and presentable. However, the true essence of sanitation, particularly in the context of agriculture, runs much deeper than mere cleanliness. Its origins are rooted in the Latin word sanitas, meaning "health," derived from sanus, which encompasses both "healthy" and "sane." This ancient wisdom underscores a profound truth: neglecting the health benefits associated with comprehensive cleaning is, quite frankly, an unsound approach to crop production. The wisdom of the ancients, it seems, remains highly relevant to modern horticultural practices.

Sanitation can be applied at various levels. At the most fundamental stage, once crops have been removed from the field, growers can engage in basic field work to prepare for the next cycle. This includes incorporating any remaining plant debris back into the soil, taking a final pass at any lingering weeds, and potentially adding organic matter before the ground freezes solid. This process of "resetting" the field is not just about tidiness; it lays the groundwork for the more intensive preparations required in the spring. More importantly, it provides a crucial opportunity to address and correct any persistent issues, such as specific weed problems or soil-borne pathogens, that might otherwise carry over from one year to the next, impacting future yields.

As the harvest concludes and produce is prepared for long-term storage, a vital part of the sanitation process involves carefully assessing what is worth keeping. Horticulturist Robert Spencer notes, "you don’t improve products in storage, you just stave off the inevitable for as long as possible." This principle, which Spencer refers to as "The G.I.G.O. Principle of Storage" (Garbage In, Garbage Out), highlights that storage merely preserves quality; it doesn't enhance it. Therefore, selecting only the best product to carry forward is paramount. Anyone who has ever harvested carrots, for instance, understands this firsthand, encountering numerous misshapen, damaged, or otherwise defective roots amidst the desirable ones.

This act of culling, which is discarding the damaged, the defective and the unmarketable, is an important step of sanitation. However, the process must extend beyond simple removal and separation. The culls themselves must be dealt with. A discarded pile of culls can quickly turn into a breeding ground for decay, becoming a "springboard for future infections and infestations," as Spencer cautions. Growers must recognize the types of pests and diseases that can persist in these waste piles and take appropriate action to spread, bury, or otherwise dispose of them in a manner that prevents their spread to healthy crops or future plantings.

It is easy to assume that once visible messes are cleaned up, and debris or materials are removed from a site, the job is complete. Yet, to truly eliminate issues that are too small for the naked eye to detect, a deeper level of cleaning is required: disinfection. This is particularly crucial when cleaning out storage spaces before new produce is brought in, preparing containers for harvested goods, or readying a greenhouse for a new crop cycle. Proper cleaning necessitates thorough disinfection.

Effective disinfection is methodical. First, all large and small visible debris needs to be removed, followed by a vigorous scrub-down. This involves using a pressure washer or a sturdy brush with a generous amount of soap to thoroughly wash surfaces. After scrubbing, a good rinse is imperative to remove all soap residue and loosened grime. If needed, the cleaning process should be repeated. Only after these steps have been completed should a disinfectant be applied. As Robert Spencer emphasizes, "Applying a disinfectant to a surface that hasn’t been properly cleaned first is just a waste of time and effort. And it is ineffective." This underscores the fundamental truth: clean, rinse, repeat, then disinfect.

The last element of sanitation involves removing items that have reached the end of their useful life. Allowing garbage or unnecessary junk to accumulate creates more than just an eyesore; it forms a "clog point." Once one item is left sitting, other debris, weeds, or even unused items tend to collect around it, creating further clutter and potential harborage for pests. Taking the time to properly dispose of these items is a simple yet effective way to maintain a clean and efficient operation.

View sanitation less as a chore but rather as an investment for healthy and productive growth. It is a proactive approach to dealing with problems and pests.