As warm-season crops are harvested, many vegetable farmers start the process of transitioning to cool-season crops. Leafy greens and root vegetables are ready to be planted. High temperature is present across the state recently. The heat stress may affect germination and growth of some of the vegetables. Spinach is probably one of the most heat-sensitive[Read More…]
Dr. Margaret McGrath’s lab from Cornell University has developed a great resource for growers interested in using biopesticides to manage vegetable diseases. https://www.vegetables.cornell.edu/ipm/diseases/biopesticides/ This article provides a general introduction of biopesticides, major types of biopesticides, and the pros and cons of using them. The website also lists representative biopesticide products that are available for managing[Read More…]
Growers interested in growing strawberries on a plasticulture system can choose to use plug plants or bare-root plants. The pros and cons of using each of the planting materials was discussed in a previous article. This article will discuss the importance of planting dates for growers who chose to use plug plants. In the[Read More…]
Tomatoes cracking in the late stages of ripening (Figure 1) was observed in our field visit. This article discusses conditions that are likely to predispose tomatoes to crack. The cracking that happened recently in open field production is likely associated with the heavy rains. The problem is most observed when a dry period is followed[Read More…]
Southwest Purdue Ag Center held a virtual field day on June 24, 2021. Multiple projects are highlighted at the virtual field day. If you are interested in learning more about these projects, please check this playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveWDgbh5ujHd6WjcbkVZIFSF5NhqtTyM that includes 24 videos. Topics related to vegetable production include: Pest and pollinator considerations in melon production Herbicide[Read More…]
Small Farm Education Field Day will be held on July 29th, 2021 at the Purdue Student Farm. Small Farm Education Field Day Webinar Series is scheduled on July 29, August 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 2021. A wide range of topics including but not limited to crop production, food safety, pest management, farm business[Read More…]
After the heavy rains in the past a few days, flooding/waterlogging injury stands out in my farm visit this week. Regardless of tomato or cucumber, the injured plants showed leaf yellowing that occurred 2 to 3 days after waterlogging (Figure 1). The yellowing leaves are a result of chlorophyll loss, which is associated with N[Read More…]
In Indiana, strawberry is traditionally grown as a perennial crop using a matted-row system, in which strawberry bare-root plants (Figure 1) are planted in spring on bare soil. Each year, fruit is harvested from mother plants as well as daughter plants that are derived from established runners in the past year. Strawberries can also be[Read More…]