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]
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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]
Welcome to the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s exclusive newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. In this issue, we feature some of the educational events offered during the spring and summer of 2024 and launch our Spotlight articles. This week, the Weed Spotlight is cast on Henbit, and the Insect Spotlight…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[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
If you grow fruits and vegetables for sale, you should consider attending the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training on Tuesday, March 19. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elkhart County Community Center on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, 17746 County Road 34, Goshen, Indiana. For growers across the state,…Read more about Food Safety for Produce Growers[Read More]
Farmers market managers and vendors can join Purdue Extension for the Farmers Market Certificate Program online. The cost is $75. Learn how to navigate food safety regulations, understand legal issues of markets, improve market stability, offer food assistance programs, manage conflict, and more. This program will meet in four (4) sessions on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30…Read more about Farmers Market Program for Vendors and Managers[Read More]
Below, you will find documents outlining the legislative changes that the governor signed this week regarding the use of pesticides in Indiana. These changes will go into effect July 1, 2024, but OISC will implement the less stringent measures immediately. Cheri Janssen, Purdue Pesticide Programs Curriculum Development Specialist, is already working on updating materials to reflect…Read more about Legislative Changes Regarding the Use of Pesticides in Indiana[Read More]
The Indiana Nutrient Management Tool is a new Excel workbook that provides fertilizer and amendment recommendations for vegetables commonly grown in Indiana. Whether for a backyard garden or a market farm, the tool allows the user to create a plan for the amount of products needed to meet the nutrient goals, which can be based…Read more about Indiana Nutrient Management Tool[Read More]
I have been asked a lot about what the unusually high temperatures we have been experiencing lately will mean for insect pests this season. I don’t have a good answer and often must respond with “it depends,” which is not very satisfying to those who ask. However, in exploring the question, I found the seasonal…Read more about Seasonal Insect Pressure Forecast – Update for Indiana[Read More]
The seedcorn maggot, Delia platura, is one of the first pests that will cause damage to vegetables in the spring in our region. This fly, which resembles a house fly but is smaller (Figure 1), begins to emerge from the overwintering pupal stage in the soil in early spring. Upon emergence, the flies quickly aggregate…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Seedcorn Maggot[Read More]
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