A large proportion of watermelon acres in Indiana are not currently using drip irrigation. Farmers may choose not to use drip irrigation because precipitation is usually abundant in most years for watermelon production. There is a desire to reduce costs and/or fear that over-irrigation may increase the risk of mature watermelon vine decline, a disease[Read More…]
Tomatoes grown in a controlled environment are exposed to different conditions from their original habitats. As a result, some plants may respond to the controlled environment with abnormal symptoms. Leaf and stem curling and distortion are symptoms we may see in the early season in greenhouses (Figure 1). This symptom might be caused by ethylene[Read More…]
Tell us about your opinions on vegetable grafting practices All growers are eligible whether you use vegetable grafting practices or not. Researchers at the University of Florida, in collaboration with Clemson University, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Kansas State University, Washington State University, University of Arizona, University of California, Davis, and USDA – Agricultural Research[Read More…]
Purdue recently joined and became one of twenty US states that are in the NEWA network. NEWA is a partnership of land grant universities and grower associations. If you live in one of the states listed, you can buy a weather station for your farm and connect to NEWA. For Indiana growers, this means your membership is[Read More…]
At the 2022 Southwest Indiana Melon and Vegetable Growers Annual Meeting, 17 watermelon farmers and 2 agricultural professionals shared their irrigation and fertilization management practices used for watermelon production in Indiana. These individuals grow or provide services for watermelon acres from less than 50 acres up to 2,000 acres over the past five years. We[Read More…]
Fertilizer prices have increased dramatically this year. More than ever, we need to think carefully about whether we are using fertilizers wisely. This article will be one of a series to help vegetable growers reevaluate their fertilizer use strategies. One of the lessons I learned in Plant Nutrition class in graduate school was the 4Rs[Read More…]
Phytophthora blight caused by the pathogen Phytophthora capsici is one of the most important diseases in pepper production (Figure 1). The disease is difficult to control once established in a field. Using host resistance is an important approach in managing this disease. In past years, Rutgers Cooperative Extension has evaluated new bell pepper cultivars and[Read More…]
The next Virtual Strawberry Chat will be on April 6, 2022. 12:00-1:00 pm EST. The event is free. Please register at After registration, you will receive an email with the participating Zoom link. Dr. Bruce Bordelon will be our guest at April 6 Strawberry Chat. We will discuss spring planting and crop management activities. If[Read More…]
Welcome to a new year of the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. As usual, we will have fifteen issues throughout the 2022 growing season. The first issue of the year is sent to all who subscribed to VCH via US-mail in 2021 as well as new[Read More…]