Welcome to the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s exclusive newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. In this issue, we highlight the occurrence of pumpkin viruses in Indiana, reflect on the 2023 dry bean season, provide an update on vegetable pricing at the Clearspring Produce Auction, cover weather trends, and look at[Read More…]
The 2023 dry edible bean harvest wrapped up in mid-September. This season was unique from a weather standpoint – dry in June and wet in July, rather than the other way around. How did this affect the trial? Dry beans are a short-season crop, especially compared to many of the field crops we are used[Read More…]
For most pumpkin growers, it is too late to take any corrective action against diseases for the 2023 crop. However, it might be wise to determine what disease problems were present during the 2023 season. This article will discuss two relatively unusual virus diseases of pumpkin. Recently, I visited several pumpkin fields in northern Indiana.[Read More…]
The Clearspring Produce Auction is located just 2 miles south of US 20 in Clearspring Township in the Heart of the LaGrange-Elkhart Amish Settlement. It is within easy driving distance of the towns of Shipshewana, Topeka, Emma, and LaGrange. Produce is sold 3 days a week throughout most of the growing season (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday),[Read More…]
To say the last few months have been dry is a bit of an understatement. Since August 1st, only a sliver of Newton and Benton counties (northwest Indiana) and the tiniest speck of Warrick County (southwest Indiana) have had above-normal precipitation. Most of western Indiana has been near (but below) normal, while the rest of[Read More…]
Educational Tracks The event will include educational tracks in fresh vegetables; processing tomatoes; small and tree fruits; business, marketing, succession planning; food safety; and controlled environment agriculture. Credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisors (CEUs) as well as Indiana-licensed private (PARP) and commercial pesticide applicators (CCH). PARP can be earned on both days. Registration[Read More…]
The Indiana Vegetable Growers Association (IVGA) is preparing its programming schedule for the upcoming winter meetings. The Southwest Indiana Melon and Vegetable Growers Annual Meeting will be held on January 19, 2024, at the French Lick Resort & Casino. The Indiana Horticulture Conference will be held on January 22 and 23 at the Hendricks County[Read More…]
The Indiana Vegetable Growers Association (IVGA) will host an evening meeting on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at the Vincennes University Agricultural Center, 4207 North Purdue Road, Vincennes, IN. Registration starts at 5 pm. Purdue researchers will be onsite to discuss production issues. We will also discuss presentation topics for the upcoming winter meetings. Dinner will[Read More…]
On September 23 and 24, farmers were featured in Farm Aid 2023 in Noblesville. Indiana SARE was so proud to see many featured farmers with powerful videos showing their farm and sustainable practices https://www.farmaid.org/…/watch-indiana-farmers-speak…/ who have gotten and implemented North Central Region SARE grants. Four SARE grant calls are out now. Contact Lais McCartney at[Read More…]
Dr. Dan Egel will participate in the next Strawberry Chat and discuss disease concerns in growing strawberry plugs. Planting strawberry plugs in plasticulture is attracting interest in Indiana. Some chose to grow strawberry plugs from runner tips. How do we prevent diseases in plug production? We invited Dr. Dan Egel to participate in the discussion.[Read More…]
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