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…]
We conduct standard seedless watermelon variety trials at Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center each year. In a separate trial, we evaluate mini seedless watermelon varieties. Mini watermelons refer to fruit ranging from 4.4 to 8.8 lbs, although the industry considers 6-7 lbs fruits ideal. Fruit in a wide range of sizes is suitable to sell at[Read More…]
Southwest Indiana Melon and Vegetable Growers annual meeting will be held in French Lick Resort & Casino on March 11, 2022, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Topics include – Research updates on nitrogen management in watermelon production; – What do we know about growing strawberries on plasticulture system in southern Indiana; – Extension produce[Read More…]