Dear Valued Vegetable Crops Hotline Readers,
Welcome to the first edition of the 2026 Vegetable Crops Hotline newsletter! As we begin this new growing season, I’m excited to continue our tradition of providing timely, research-based information to support Indiana’s vegetable-growing community. Our mission remains steadfast: to deliver crucial updates on pest management, production practices, food safety, and marketing opportunities that directly impact your farming operations.
In upcoming issues, we’ll cover several critical topics, including emerging pest challenges, innovative irrigation management strategies, the latest developments in high-tunnel production, and many more. We’ll also feature updates on food safety regulations affecting our vegetable industry.
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 email us at plangenh@purdue.edu or reach out to the specialist directly. We also welcome high-quality photos of pest issues, unusual symptoms, or innovative production practices you’ve implemented on your farm.
What’s Inside This Issue
This first issue of the 2026 season is packed with practical content and educational opportunities to help you hit the ground running as you plan your growing year.
On the research side, Zeus Mateos and Dr. Ian Kaplan take a close look at a question many watermelon growers have been asking: Do managed bumble bees actually improve seedless watermelon yields enough to justify the investment? Given how dependent seedless varieties are on efficient pollen transfer between pollinizer and seedless plants, and the limitations of honey bees in adverse weather, the answer has real dollars-and-cents implications for anyone renting supplemental pollinators.
The calendar ahead is full of learning opportunities I’d encourage you to mark now. In the coming weeks, the Vegetable Chat webinar series continues on February 27 with a session on potato production in the Great Lakes region, featuring Chris Long from Michigan State University — a timely topic as you’re making variety and input decisions. If food safety compliance is on your plate, the Safe Produce Indiana team is offering hands-on Cleaning and Sanitation Workshops on February 26 in Vincennes and March 25 at Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, both free of charge. A Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training follows on March 11 in Goshen (with a Spanish-language remote option on March 12) for growers who need PSA certification.
High tunnel operators should take note of the Tri-State High Tunnel School Webinar Series, running every Wednesday from February 25 through April 1, co-organized by Extension specialists from Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, with tracks for beginner through advanced growers. And for those involved in variety development or on-farm trialing, eOrganic is hosting a free webinar on culinary quality evaluations of vegetable breeding lines on March 4. Michigan State University is presenting an Irrigation Day Webinar Series on March 5, focused on large-scale field crop management, water policy in the Midwest, and new horticultural irrigation practices. If you are interested in using horses on your farm, the April 11 workshop will be of interest.
Looking ahead to spring, I want to highlight the newly combined Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference, taking place March 3–5 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds. This event merges the Indiana Horticulture Conference and Indiana Small Farm Conference under one roof — registration is open now, and I hope many of you will join us.
Finally, save these two summer dates: the annual Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on July 16 at the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm, and the Small Farm Education Field Day on July 23 at the Purdue Student Farm. Both events bring hands-on demonstrations, research updates, and networking right to your backyard.
Subscription Information
Hard Copy Subscribers
A hard copy of the first 2026 issue is sent to all who subscribed to VCH via US-mail in 2025 and all new subscribers for 2026. To continue receiving future copies through US mail, 2025 subscribers must renew their Hotline subscriptions using the form enclosed in your envelope. Don’t know which year you subscribed to? Check the envelope you received this newsletter in. The year your subscription is paid through appears in the bottom-right corner of your envelope.
If you need a hard copy subscription form and don’t have access to the internet, please contact your nearest Purdue Extension office. Extension Educators, please download the hard-copy subscription form.
Digital Subscribers
If you receive the newsletter via email, you do not need to take any action. You will continue to receive the newsletter on the issue date.
New digital subscribers can now register their email address
In addition, digital subscribers receive emails with information about articles or announcements that need your immediate attention. These articles will be posted under Hot Topics on the VCH webpage and will be included in the next issue. All previous articles published in the VCH newsletter are available on the Vegetable Crops Hotline website.
Website Links in Newsletter Articles
We frequently include links to websites or online publications. If you can’t access these resources, 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 2026 Midwest Vegetable Production guide is now available for growers, or you can download and print a guide from your computer. The guide is also available for $20 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 Report features many articles to help you make an informed decision. The resource also hosts production-related research results.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with topics you’d like us to cover. Here’s to a productive 2026 season ahead!
Best regards,
Petrus Langenhoven
Clinical Assistant Professor and Vegetable Extension Specialist
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Purdue University