Across the state, tobacco farmers are in the final stages of moving tobacco plants from the greenhouses to the fields. Following are some photos from the field at Harnett County farmer Ricky Betts’ greenhouses. See more about greenhouse tobacco production at this previous blog post on the Oxford Tobacco Research Station.
Farmer Ricky Betts preps tobacco plants for the field.
NCDA&CS agronomist Don Nicholson looks at the roots of tobacco seedlings.
A tobacco plant ready for transplanting.
The reflection of the top of the greenhouse can be seen in the water where float trays of tobacco have been removed for planting.
Tobacco plants are tightly packed in each tray. Plants are mowed to an even height with a suspended mower to keep them uniform for planting.
Fans and sides that can be opened help keep temperatures in the greenhouse moderate on warmer sunny days for thousands of plants.