Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! As summer heat continues to challenge Indiana growers, this week’s edition provides essential guidance for managing the intensifying conditions ahead. With more heat waves expected and reference evapotranspiration significantly exceeding precipitation, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about drought-related impacts while addressing…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Time is running out to secure your spot at this year’s most comprehensive small-scale farming educational event! The Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day is just days away, and we’re excited to announce that whether you’re able to join us in person or connect from afar, you won’t miss out on this invaluable learning opportunity….Read more about Final Call: Don’t Miss the Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day – July 24th![Read More]
Multiple foliar pathogens (some of which are also major problems for fruits) are appearing in watermelon and cantaloupe crops. It is time to continue or begin fungicide applications to prevent diseases such as gummy stem blight (Figure 1), anthracnose (Figure 2), and Phytophthora blight. During recent field visits, I have observed gummy stem blight and…Read more about Disease Watch: Gummy Stem Blight, Anthracnose, and Phytophthora in Cucurbits[Read More]
One heat wave down, more to come. It is summer, though, so aside from expecting plenty of hot days, the primary concern is that reference (or potential) evapotranspiration (ET) significantly exceeds precipitation, which would ultimately lead to drought-related impacts. The National Weather Service provides a 7-day forecast reference ET product as well as a 7-day…Read more about More Heat on the Way[Read More]
Squash Vine Borer More information available at https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/veg/squash-vine-borer/ For those trappers who are currently reporting, we can see that our first generation of active adult moths is declining. Corn Earworm More information available at https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/veg/cornearworm/ Montgomery County is still holding the record (La Porte did get the closest), but counts have dropped dramatically. We are…Read more about Insect Trapping Updates[Read More]
A familiar and dreaded sight of any home gardener is to find their rose bushes in a state of disrepair. Leaves skeletonized, flowers destroyed, and the remains crawling with iridescent green and brown beetles. This is the result of a Japanese beetle infestation. Japanese beetles were introduced to the United States around the turn of…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Japanese Beetles[Read More]
Weeds are one of the most persistent and costly challenges in agriculture. Yield losses due to weeds can be severe, and weed management options are often limited, especially for organic and small-scale specialty crop growers. While many small-scale producers rely on hand-weeding or tillage, there are alternative tools that can improve weed control and reduce…Read more about Weed Management Methods for Small Farms[Read More]
Over the past ten years, evaluating dozens of watermelon and melon cultivars each season has allowed me to explore many unique types that differ from those typically found in mainstream markets. Some of these melons stand out with their distinctive rind patterns, varied colors, exceptional flavors, or other special characteristics. I’ve shared my observations through…Read more about Exploring Unique Melon Cultivars for Direct-to-Consumer Market[Read More]
Submit your content ideas for the 2026 Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference. Do you want to hear from someone in particular or about a specific topic at this year’s newly combined conference? If so, please scan the QR code or follow the link below to submit your suggestions. The survey will be open until…Read more about Shape the Conversation: Submit Your Topics for Indiana’s 2026 Horticulture and Small Farm Conferences[Read More]
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