Soil volumetric water content (VWC) was measured in the top 20 cm using a HydroSense Soil Moisture Meter (Spectrum Technologies, Plainfield IL) on three days in the latter portion of each growing season (Figure 2). Readings were taken between plants, 50 cm from the east end of the second and fourth row of each bed. Readings were also taken 50 cm from the west end of the same rows, and in the center of each bed, in 2002 only. The mean of all readings taken in a plot was used as the sample value for that plot.

Relative chlorophyll content was measured with a portable chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502, Minolta Camera Co., Osaka, Japan) at final harvest. The meter measures transmission through a leaf of red light at a wavelength absorbed by chlorophyll (650 nm) and infra-red light at a wavelength not absorbed by chlorophyll (940 nm). It computes a Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) value that estimates relative leaf chlorophyll content based on the ratio of these two values (Watanabe et al. 1980). One SPAD reading was taken from a fully-expanded leaf at the top of each plant, and the mean of all readings in a plot was used as the value for that plot.

Harvest. Tomatoes were harvested five times in 2001 and four times in 2002 (Figure 2). All fruits past the breaker stage were collected at each harvest, counted, and weighed. All aboveground biomass was collected at the final harvest. Ripe tomatoes, green tomatoes, and vines were sorted and weighed separately.

Basil was harvested six times in 2001 and three times in 2002 (Figure 1). All biomass more than 15 cm above the ground was collected and weighed at each harvest. All aboveground biomass was collected at the final harvest. Leaves and stems were weighed separately.

Brussels sprouts were harvested once at the end of each season (Figure 1). All aboveground biomass was collected. Marketable sprouts were counted and weighed separately from leaves and stems.