Common names Common chickweed, chickweed, starwort, starweed, bindweed, chicken-weeds, winter weed, satin flower, tongue grass, chickwhirtles, cluckenweed, mischievous Jack, skirt buttons, cyrillo, and white bird’s eye. Fun fact Did you notice how many common names refer to chickens? It turns out that this weed was used as a go-to in chicken and bird diets! Latin…Read more about Weed Spotlight: Common Chickweed[Read More]
Vegetable Crops - General
Weeds can quickly take over vegetable farms, reducing yield and interfering with harvest. Effective weed management is vital for keeping farms efficient and productive. Because every farm is unique, there is no universal weed management solution. Prior to implementing a weed control strategy, you should properly identify the problematic weeds on your farm and establish…Read more about Weed Management Strategies for Vegetable Farms[Read More]
Welcome to the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s exclusive newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. This issue features two Spotlight articles: the Weed Spotlight on Deadnettle and the Insect Spotlight on the Two-Spotted Lady Beetle. It also includes a featured article that discusses soil fertility management in high tunnels, ethylene damage…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
NCR-SARE Welcomes Liz Brownlee This article was published by SARE in their news release dated March 21, 2024. NCR-SARE is pleased to announce Liz Brownlee’s appointment as the new Coordinator for the Farmer Rancher Grant Program. Brownlee, who was born and raised in Indiana, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role. Brownlee…Read more about Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) News[Read More]
Are you looking to enhance your knowledge of soil fertility management in high tunnel farming? Look no further! Let’s explore the crucial aspects of High Tunnel Soil Fertility Management that can help you grow abundant and healthy crops. Spring has arrived, and with it comes the excitement of planting cool and warm-season crops. If you…Read more about High Tunnel Soil Fertility Management: What You Need to Know[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 3 days a week throughout most of the growing season (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday),…Read more about Clearspring Produce Auction Price Update[Read More]
Common Names Purple deadnettle, red deadnettle. Latin name Lamium purpureum. “Lamium” is derived from the Latin for “throat,” referencing the flower tube’s elongated shape. “purpureum”, also derived from the Latin, means “purple”. Family Lamiaceae – “the mint family”. Life cycle In Indiana, purple deadnettle is a winter annual. Plants emerge as small seedlings in the…Read more about Weed Spotlight: Purple Deadnettle[Read More]
The Two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata, is a common insect predator, meaning it feeds on other, smaller bugs. Native to North America and Europe, the Two-spotted lady beetle is distinguished from other lady beetles by its oblong shape and two large black spots on either of its back, as well as its large white spots…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Two-Spotted Lady Beetle[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 3 days a week throughout most of the growing season (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday),…Read more about Clearspring Produce Auction Price Update[Read More]
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S. This report was published on March 14, 2024, and can be downloaded HERE https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/dmrpt-20240314.pdf