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 about Getting Ready to Plant Strawberries in a Plasticulture System – Planting Date[Read More]
Wenjing Guan
Vegetable Crops Hotline Editor & Clinical Engagement Associate Professor
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Area(s) of Interest: Commercial Vegetable and Melon Production
Wenjing Guan's website
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Area(s) of Interest: Commercial Vegetable and Melon Production
Wenjing Guan's website
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 about Cracking Tomatoes[Read More]
Our recent field visit revealed a green bean issue that is likely associated with wet conditions. Purdue soybean specialist Shaun Casteel recently released this video that may also help vegetable bean growers to assess the damage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfoghn7Ilk
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 about Southwest Purdue Ag Center Virtual Field Day Research Highlight[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 about Small Farm Education Field Day and Webinar Series[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 about Plants Recovering from Waterlogging Damage[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 about Getting Ready to Plant Strawberries in a Plasticulture System — Planting Materials[Read More]
The additional aid will fill gaps in previous rounds of assistance and help beginning, socially disadvantaged and small and medium-sized producers that need support. The program includes $700 million for pandemic response and safety grants for PPE and other protective measures to help specialty crop growers, among others; and up to $20 million for additional…Read more about USDA Announces Additional Aid to Ag Producers and Businesses in Pandemic Assistance[Read More]
Please join us for the Southwest Purdue Ag Center virtual field day! You will learn about many exciting research projects conducted at the research center. Topics on horticultural crops include: – Rainfastness of fungicides – What can IPM adoption in watermelons mean for pests, pollinators and profit? – Strawberry production with alternative systems – High…Read more about Southwest Purdue Ag Center Virtual Field Day[Read More]
In early May, we had an extended cold period with daily average air temperatures in the 50s°F. Min temperatures are in the 40s°F, some nights even upper 30s°F. In most areas in southern Indiana, it is fortunate we did not encounter a frost with temperature dropped below 32°F, but the low temperature for the extended…Read more about Why do Watermelon and Melon Plants Wilt?[Read More]