Welcome to the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s exclusive newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. Our outstanding contributing authors have outdone themselves once again. Spring is almost upon us; before we know it, we will be seeding and planting vegetables outdoors. This issue is packed with great information. Information that will…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
A new strain of the disease anthracnose of pepper has been detected in South Carolina and Ontario, Canada. Although this disease has not been found in Indiana, the article reprinted below will help growers to be aware of this potential problem. Pay close attention to the description of the disease and the photo. Don’t hesitate…Read more about Anthracnose Management in Peppers – the Old and the New[Read More]
Millennials and Gen Z are predicted to shape emerging food trends in America. Millennials, the largest living generation, are spending more food dollars in restaurants and convenient meal prepping than previous generations. Millennials are usually described as progressive, open to trying new foods, and willing to value sustainable food attributes. Gen Z, those born between…Read more about For Young Consumers, Farm-to-Fork Is Not Organic[Read More]
Water is an essential component of crop production. However, water may also contain or transmit human pathogens. As a result, management of any food safety risks presented by water is critical. As part of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) (21 CFR 112), Subpart E deals with the management of both production and postharvest water on…Read more about Update on Proposed Changes to Subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule[Read More]
Recent price increases and supply chain shortages for fertilizers, chemicals, and energy have impacted farm profitability and viability. As a result, many Indiana farmers are interested in alternative and more sustainable approaches to maintaining crop productivity and building soil health, such as applying composts to their soils. Applying compost to the soil is common in…Read more about Are You Thinking of Applying Compost to Your Soils?[Read More]
A diversified farm plans its crop rotation around producing various perishable products that sell well, like tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens. As the farm builds market opportunities, it might consider adding new or unusual crops to the crop plan. Storage crops can be part of that plan, extending the sale season for growers and additional…Read more about A Large Grain for the Small Farm?[Read More]
Running a CSA can be a long journey throughout the season, requiring one to stay on top of many weekly tasks and decisions. Some are more important to think about than others. Here is a list of what the Purdue Student Farm sees as some of the most essential tasks in the decision-making process and…Read more about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Top six recommendations for your farm market[Read More]
I conducted a summer squash (zucchini) variety trial at the Throckmorton Purdue Agriculture Center/Meigs Horticulture Facility, Lafayette, IN, a few years ago (Figures 1 & 2). We evaluated ten varieties with cylindrical fruit shape characteristics. (Table 1). Unfortunately, one variety, Felix, is no longer available. Standard zucchini production protocol was followed. Diseases and pests…Read more about Planning on Growing Summer Squash this Summer?[Read More]
In your propagation/seeding house, you are setting the stage for the remainder of your growing season, and there are a few key things I would like to remind you about to minimize pest issues at this crucial stage. Cleanliness is key! Make sure you start with clean trays for any transplants you may be generating….Read more about Start Your Season off Right with Pest-free Transplants[Read More]
We are concerned about frost/freeze damage to the crops at this time of year. As I am writing this article, we had forecasted low temperatures in the lower 20sºF on March 14 and 18 in southern Indiana. How does this affect plasticulture strawberries? I want to share my thoughts in this article. Before discussing whether…Read more about Strawberry Spring Frost Protection—Considerations in March[Read More]
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