Dear Valued VCH Readers,
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline!
As summer heat intensifies across Indiana, this week’s edition provides timely guidance to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of the peak growing season. With temperatures running 6 to 13°F above normal and increased humidity triggering pop-up showers throughout the state, it’s crucial to stay informed about both immediate field conditions and strategic planning for the remainder of the season.
This issue addresses the full spectrum of concerns related to vegetable production. For those dealing with pest pressures, we highlight three significant insects that demand your attention: the Harlequin bug, a brassica specialist that can cause devastating leaf damage and plant death, and provide updates on statewide insect trapping programs that monitor corn earworm and squash vine borer populations to help inform your management decisions. Our research updates include valuable findings from the spring broccoli cultivar evaluation at Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center and a two-year strawberry performance study comparing 15 June-bearing cultivars across plasticulture systems.
Sustainable production takes center stage with opportunities to join black soldier fly derived compost research. We also provide insights from a Soil-to-Market producer survey, examining consumer willingness to pay premiums for food safety. As pumpkin and winter squash plants emerge across the state, we are highlighting frequently asked questions about early-season weed management to help you establish clean, productive fields.
Beyond field operations, this issue connects you with broader agricultural opportunities and resources. Learn about the upcoming virtual workshop on agricultural climate data tools, discover how the OISC Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal Program can help you safely dispose of unwanted pesticides at collection sites across six counties in August, and understand the importance of participating in USDA Farm Service Agency county committee elections that opened on June 16th.
Whether you’re managing immediate heat stress concerns, planning pest management strategies, or exploring innovative research collaborations, this week’s content provides the research-backed information and practical guidance needed to make informed decisions during this critical period of the growing season.
Growers and Purdue Extension Educators
Your input and expertise make this newsletter a truly useful resource. If you have hot topics you’d like us to cover, success stories to share, or questions for our Extension specialists, please get in touch with us at plangenh@purdue.edu or contact the specialist directly. We also welcome high-quality photos of pest issues, unusual symptoms, or innovative production practices you’ve implemented on your farm.
Website Links in Newsletter Articles
We frequently include links to websites or online publications. If you are unable to access these resources, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Purdue Extension office or us to request a hard copy of the information.
Midwest Vegetable Production Guide
The 2025 Midwest Vegetable Production guide is now available for growers to visit online at mwveguide.org, or you can download and print a guide from your computer at mwveguide.org/guide. The guide can also be purchased for $15 per copy. Contact your Extension Office or Stephen Meyers (slmeyeres@purdue.edu) directly to buy a copy.
Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports
Are you still considering purchasing vegetable seeds? The Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports feature many articles to help you make an informed decision. The resource also hosts research results related to production.
Best regards,
Petrus Langenhoven
Clinical Assistant Professor and Vegetable Extension Specialist
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Purdue University