As I sit by the window watching the snow fall, I can’t help but think about what’s on the minds of many high tunnel farmers right now: Can my tunnels withstand the snow? It’s a concern I haven’t faced in recent years, but this winter feels uncertain. As you can imagine, ensuring the safety of…Read more about Ready for the Snow, Resources for Tunnel Growers[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
Southern Indiana Vegetable Growers Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with Illiana Watermelon Association Convention (IWA). The meeting will take place on January 17th in French Lick, Indiana. The meeting agenda is posted below. Additional details about the event can be found on the IWA website. Registration and booth questions should be directed to…Read more about Southern Indiana Vegetable Growers & Illiana Watermelon Accociation Winter Meeting[Read More]
In this episode, we travel to southern Ohio, speaking with one of the largest plasticulture strawberry growers, Mr. Brad Bapst, who shares his journey and insights on growing strawberries. We also hear from Mr. Thomas Harker, who discusses how the strawberry research conducted at the Ohio State University South Centers impacts strawberry production in the…Read more about Strawberry Chat Podcast — Farmer Interview with Brad Bapst: Plasticulture Production in Southern Ohio[Read More]
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) pose a hidden threat to vegetable production, with root-knot nematodes being among the most damaging soil-borne pests. These nematodes affect a wide range of crops and have caused significant yield reductions in Indiana, impacting both large-scale conventional vegetable production and small-scale diversified farms, particularly in high tunnel production. Despite their potential to…Read more about Unveiling Root-knot Nematodes and the Role of Suppressive Soils in Vegetable Production[Read More]
If you’re expecting plug plants for your strawberry crops, you’ve likely heard about the emerging threat of Neopestalotiopsis disease. For those unfamiliar, I recommend reading Dr. Phil Brannen’s article, “Dramatic Neopestalotiopsis Disease in Strawberry Tips and Plug Plant Production Nurseries“ from the University of Georgia Extension. Recently, I’ve been in discussions with a few fruit…Read more about Strawberry Growers: Navigating the Challenges of Neopestalotiopsis Disease[Read More]
Under waterlogging conditions, oxygen depletion in the soil injures roots, limiting their ability to uptake nutrients and water. In response, plants close their stomata to prevent water loss, leading to a subsequent reduction in photosynthesis. Common symptoms include wilting, stunted growth, and yellowing leaves. If the stress persists for an extended period, plants may eventually…Read more about Recovering Vegetable Crops from Waterlogging[Read More]
Dear Melon Growers and Industry Friends, You are invited to tour the watermelon variety trials conducted at Southwest Purdue Ag Center in Vincennes, IN, on July 24, 10:00 am-1:00 pm EST. The variety trials include: A standard-sized seedless watermelon trial A person-sized seedless watermelon trial A seeded watermelon trial This is a self-guided tour. Extension…Read more about Southwest Purdue Ag Center Watermelon Variety Evaluation Open House on July 24[Read More]
This week, several regions of Indiana experienced excessive rainfall due to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl passing through the state. The heavy rain caused flooding in some vegetable fields. When soil water levels surpass optimal requirements, oxygen is depleted, leading to waterlogging stress for the plants. Figure 1 displays the varied responses of different crops…Read more about Vegetable Responses to Waterlogging Stress[Read More]
Date: September 4, 2024 Time: 3:00 – 8:00 PM EST Location: Southwest Purdue Ag Center, 4369 N Purdue Rd, Vincennes, IN 47591 Dinner Provided Join us for an informative workshop designed specifically for small-scale vegetable producers. This event will be held at the Southwest Purdue Ag Center in Vincennes, IN, on September 4th, 2024, from…Read more about Irrigation Workshop for Small-Scale Vegetable Producers on Sept. 4[Read More]
It seems the season has shifted abruptly from wet to dry. Over the past week, we’ve begun to hear reports typically associated with hot and dry conditions. At the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, we conduct side-by-side comparisons of different fruiting vegetables under varying irrigation treatments. This article summarizes our observations on how different fruiting vegetable…Read more about Fruiting Vegetable Responses to Drought Stress[Read More]