Welcome to the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s exclusive newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. This is our second-last issue for 2024 and includes a price update from the Clearspring Produce Auction, a look at the weather for the next 14 days, information about educational opportunities, and an opportunity to serve…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Vegetable Crops - General
As September begins, we officially welcome meteorological fall. While the autumnal equinox isn’t until September 22, the past few mornings have already brought a crisp, fall-like feel to the air. Around town, fall decorations are starting to appear, and a few maple trees are showing early hints of color. My wife, however, is eagerly waiting…Read more about Welcome Meteorological Fall, Drought Concern Grows[Read More]
This year, we really want to familiarize our readers with beneficial flies! After learning about syrphids, blow flies, and predatory gall midges, we are going to end the season on long-legged flies (Figures 1 and 2)). Unlike the other species we have discussed this year, the family of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) contain numerous species which…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Long-legged flies[Read More]
The Clearspring Produce Auction is located just 2 miles south of US 20 in Clearspring Township in the Heart of the LaGrange-Elkhart Amish Settlement. It is within easy driving distance of the towns of Shipshewana, Topeka, Emma, and LaGrange. Produce is sold three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) throughout most of the growing…Read more about Clearspring Produce Auction Price Update[Read More]
Conflict is present in almost every aspect of our lives: personal, business, family, community; the list goes on and on. Inherently, conflict is not good or bad. Conflict can be the fuel for change, a learning or leadership opportunity, or can bring issues that were otherwise ignored to light. Conflict only becomes unhealthy when it…Read more about Why Are We Fighting? Succession Conflict and How to Handle It[Read More]
Welcome to the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s exclusive newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. The harvesting season is progressing well. As part of our evidence-based Extension programs, we have harvested many peppers and watermelons, among other crops, at the TPAC/Meigs Horticulture Facility. We also only have two VCH issues left…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
The Clearspring Produce Auction is located just 2 miles south of US 20 in Clearspring Township in the Heart of the LaGrange-Elkhart Amish Settlement. It is within easy driving distance of the towns of Shipshewana, Topeka, Emma, and LaGrange. Produce is sold three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) throughout most of the growing season,…Read more about Clearspring Fresh Produce Auction Update[Read More]
Pattern changes, like the one we’ve experienced in the middle of the month, are quite typical for August. The humidity decreases a bit, the soils dry out, and sometimes, as we’ve recently experienced, the temperatures drop quite dramatically. It can be refreshing and exciting for Fall lovers to experience some crisp, cool air in mid-August….Read more about Hot for August’s End, Little Rain in Sight[Read More]
Lasioglossum sweat bees are common pollinators in agricultural landscapes. These bees are small black, brown, or iridescent green/blue bees that belong to the family Halictidae. They can often be mistaken for flies due to their small size and nondescript appearance compared to other bees. These bees are historically overlooked as important pollinators for crops compared…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Lasioglossum Sweat Bees[Read More]
Common names: Common ragweed, annual ragweed, hogweed, hay-fever weed, Roman wormweed, and bitterweed. Latin name: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. “Ambrosia” is from Greek mythology and refers to the food or drink of the gods, often associated with granting immortality. Meanwhile, “artemisiifolia” indicates that the foliage of common ragweed looks like the foliage of plants from the…Read more about Weed Sptolight: Common Ragweed[Read More]