Over the past ten years, evaluating dozens of watermelon and melon cultivars each season has allowed me to explore many unique types that differ from those typically found in mainstream markets. Some of these melons stand out with their distinctive rind patterns, varied colors, exceptional flavors, or other special characteristics. I’ve shared my observations through[Read More…]
Crop Culture
From 2022 to 2024, we evaluated the performance of 15 June-bearing strawberry cultivars grown in a plasticulture system using black and white-on-black plastic mulches at two locations in Indiana: the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes, IN, and the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm in Lafayette, IN. During the experimental period, monthly average temperatures at the[Read More…]
In Spring 2025, we evaluated eight broccoli cultivars at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center. The cultivars included: Asteroid, Castle Dome, Emerald Crown, Eastern Crown, Millennium, Imperial, Green Magic, and Eastern Magic. Seeds were sown in the greenhouse on March 10 and transplanted into the field on April 1. The soils at the site were sandy[Read More…]
In this episode, we travel to southern Ohio, speaking with one of the largest plasticulture strawberry growers, Mr. Brad Bapst, who shares his journey and insights on growing strawberries. We also hear from Mr. Thomas Harker, who discusses how the strawberry research conducted at the Ohio State University South Centers impacts strawberry production in the[Read More…]
This week, several regions of Indiana experienced excessive rainfall due to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl passing through the state. The heavy rain caused flooding in some vegetable fields. When soil water levels surpass optimal requirements, oxygen is depleted, leading to waterlogging stress for the plants. Figure 1 displays the varied responses of different crops[Read More…]
Harvesting of high tunnel-grown strawberries has started from southern to central Indiana. Early cultivars in open-field plasticulture are fruiting in southern Indiana, with harvest right around the corner. The crops are generally a week earlier than last year. Late cultivars, second-year patches, and fields covered with straw in the winter are slightly lagging behind. Moving[Read More…]
Over the past year, we conducted a comparative study on microclimate conditions within caterpillar tunnels and high tunnels at five farms in Indiana. This initiative was prompted by the growing interest in employing caterpillar tunnels for season-extension vegetable production among small and diversified farms. Caterpillar tunnels, typically lower in height than permanent high tunnels, stand[Read More…]
This summer, we interviewed four farmers growing strawberries in plasticulture in Indiana. Their business is on different scales, and they sell through varied market channels. How do strawberries fit into their overall crop and market strategy? What are the opportunities and challenges? The lessons the experienced farmers share will be of great value to others[Read More…]
I visited Kube-Pak (Allentown, NJ) during the North American Strawberry Growers Summer Tour. Kube-Pak wholesales bedding plants, plugs, potted plants and more. Our visit at Kube-Pak’s was at peak time of strawberry business. Mr. Rob Swanekamp showed us the steps of growing strawberry plugs, from tip production to shipping. The strawberry plugs’ shipping date starts[Read More…]
There are many challenges in growing watermelons. Hail occurring right before harvest time is undoubtedly one of them. In the past weeks, there have been thunderstorms in southern Indiana. Some brought hail. Small hail causes minor damage to watermelon leaves and stems, but big hail can devastate the foliage and cause significant scarring to the[Read More…]