Cross stitch of watermelons is a physiological disorder (not caused by an infectious disease) first reported in 1990s on watermelon fruit. It received the name because the symptom looks like cross stitch. One or more rows of oval-shaped lesions lie along with the longitudinal axis of the fruit. These lesions are normally more close to[Read More…]
High Tunnel Tour at SWPAC Date: August 22, 2016 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Location: Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, 4369 North Purdue Road, Vincennes, IN 47591 Please join us for a high tunnel tour at the Southwest Purdue Ag Center. You will learn about high tunnel tomato diseases and management, end of season field sanitation, potential[Read More…]
The Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project is a great opportunity to legally dispose of unwanted chemicals. It is free of charge up to 250 pounds. To dispose of pesticides, complete the Pesticide Clean Sweep Planning form (the form is attached with the newsletter) and mail, fax or e-mail the completed form to Kevin Neal at Purdue University. 175[Read More…]
We are familiar with strawberries grown as a perennial crop in Indiana. Bare root strawberry plants are set in the spring. Fruit is first harvested in the second year and the planting is renovated annually. Using this system, strawberry seasons last for three to four weeks from middle May through June. The traditional system has been[Read More…]
Driving across IN now, it is not uncommon to see many recently built high tunnels standing along the roadsides. These structures have become an important tool for farmers to extend production seasons of vegetable and fruit crops. Compared with traditional greenhouses, high tunnel demand much less energy as they are heated by solar energy and[Read More…]
Pickin’ and Packin’: 2016 Postharvest Produce Workshop Date: July 12, 2016, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (EDT) Location: Purdue University, Nelson Hall of Food Science, Rm 1195, 745 Agriculture Mall Dr. West Lafayette, IN 47906 Workshops will be offered for updating produce growers on the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Rule and other food safety issues. It[Read More…]
Last week, the highest temperature reached 110°F for a few successive days inside of our high tunnels. As a result, we observed some blossom drop on tomatoes. More information on high temperature effects on tomato fruit set can be found here. In addition to blossom drop, high temperature and high light intensity contribute to sunscald injury,[Read More…]
Pickin’ and Packin’: 2016 Postharvest Produce Workshop Date: July 6, 2016, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (EDT) Location: Oaktown Produce Depot. 13990 N. Old Hwy 41, Oaktown, IN 47561 and Date: July 12, 2016, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (EDT) Location: Purdue University, Nelson Hall of Food Science, Rm 1195, 745 Agriculture Mall Dr. West Lafayette, IN 47906 Two[Read More…]
Beginning Farmer Tours June 25, 2016: Silverthorn Farm, Rossville. Organic fruits and vegetables, pastured pork and working with restaurants. July 14, 2016: Melon Acres, Oaktown. Community-supported agriculture and agritourism. Sept. 29, 2016: River Ridge Farm, Roann. Four-season vegetable farming, operating an on-farm store, and farm-to-school programs. The tours are free, but registration is required. Registration at https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/wk_group.asp?wk_group=BeginFarmer For more[Read More…]
If you visit the Vegetable Crops Hotline on-line, be sure to visit our new addition: Veggie Extras. The articles that you’ll find when you click on the Veggie Extra link include brief observations, photos, research updates or in-depth subjects that we hope the vegetable professional might find interesting. Articles that are in the Veggie Extras[Read More…]