Pumpkin and other cucurbit production in Indiana often involves intensive soil preparation to create a warm, weed-free seedbed. However, increasing interest in soil health, cover crops, and reduced tillage has led some growers to consider a different approach: planting pumpkins into a terminated cereal rye cover crop using no-till or strip-till practices. Planning for this…Read more about Pumpkins in Cereal Rye: Opportunities and Challenges for Indiana Growers[Read More]
Pumpkins
Indiana is one of the nation’s leading pumpkin-producing states. In 2025, growers planted about 7,900 acres, placing Indiana second in the nation for pumpkin production. Growers sell most of the crop in September and October for decoration or home use. Jack-o’-lanterns remain a fall favorite, while specialty pumpkins bring an array of colors, shapes, and…Read more about Diverse Pumpkin and Winter Squash Grown in Indiana[Read More]
It has been a wet summer across much of Indiana, and conditions became more challenging after historic rainfall hit east-central Indiana in mid-August. I recently had a chance to visit several pumpkin fields in the region. The amount of damage directly associated with the heavy rainfall varied considerably from field to field, clearly demonstrating how…Read more about Pumpkin Field Updates[Read More]
You are invited to attend the SWPAC Vegetable Field Day on August 13, 2026, at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC) in Vincennes, Indiana. PARP credits will be offered at this event. This free educational event will provide an opportunity to learn about the latest research and Extension programs that support Indiana’s vegetable industry. Participants…Read more about Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center Vegetable Field Day – August 13[Read More]
Days ago, the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) approved expanded label language allowing an over-the-top application of Dual Magnum® herbicide on pumpkins in Indiana. This change follows extensive research conducted in 2021 across 11 sites in 10 states to confirm jack-o’-lantern pumpkin crop tolerance to this application. Full results from that research can…Read more about Dual Magnum® Herbicide Now Labeled Over-The-Top in Indiana Pumpkins[Read More]
You are invited to attend the SWPAC Vegetable Field Day on August 13, 2026, at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC) in Vincennes, Indiana. PARP credits will be offered at this event. This free educational event will provide an opportunity to learn about the latest research and Extension programs that support Indiana’s vegetable industry….Read more about Purdue Vegetable Field Day SWPAC[Read More]
In 2023, BASF registered Rely® 280 for use in cantaloupe, cucumber, summer squash, watermelon, tomato, and pepper. The registration occurred as two separate supplemental labels- one for cucurbits and one for fruiting vegetables. Both supplemental labels were set to expire in December of 2025. These supplemental labels allowed for the use of Rely® 280 as…Read more about Rely® 280 Herbicide – Going, Going, Gone[Read More]
This article provides a summary of information provided by Purdue Extension specialists at the 2025 Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC) Pumpkin Field Day. Diverse Pumpkin and Winter Squashes Dr. Liz Maynard gave a presentation on the diversity of pumpkins and winter squashes, covering different market types, their botanical classifications, maturity indicators, and storage life. Dr….Read more about 2025 SWPAC Pumpkin Field Day Recap[Read More]
As pumpkin season approaches, proper harvest timing and post-harvest handling become critical for maintaining fruit quality and maximizing storage life. Whether you’re growing Halloween jack-o’-lanterns or pie pumpkins for the holiday market, following best practices through harvest and storage will help ensure your season ends on a successful note. Determining the Right Harvest Time For…Read more about Maximizing Pumpkin Quality: From Harvest to Storage[Read More]
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1:30–5:00 p.m. EDTLocation: Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC)Address: 4369 N. Purdue Road, Vincennes, IN 47591 Registration: https://tinyurl.com/SWPACpumpkin • or call 812-886-0198 Questions? Contact Wenjing Guan (guan40@purdue.edu), Valerie Clingerman (clingerman@purdue.edu), or Barb Joyner (joynerb@purdue.edu). Tentative agenda 1:30–2:00 p.m. – Registration2:00–2:10 p.m. – Welcome to SWPAC — Dennis Nowaskie, SWPAC superintendent2:10–2:30 p.m….Read more about Southwest Purdue Ag Center Pumpkin Field Day[Read More]