The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) strives to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest, to improve ecological, economic, and social sustainability. The Cover Crop Decision Tool is an initiative by the MCCC to consolidate cover crop information by state to help farmers make cover crop selections at the county level. The tool…Read more about Cover Crop Decision Tool for Vegetable Growers[Read More]
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We just completed a new publication that will assist fruit and vegetable growers in protecting pollinators while still managing their insect pests. The title is “Protecting Pollinators in Fruit and Vegetable Production.” It can be found at https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/POL-2/POL-2.html. There are two companion publications in this series, “Protecting Pollinators in Home Lawns and Landscapes” and “Protecting…Read more about New Pollinator Publication[Read More]
Over the past several weeks, there have been a number of reports of high populations of aphids on cucurbits, as well as report of disappointing levels of control with various insecticides. Without getting into the specifics of individual complaints, here are some suggestions for improved control of aphids. Remember that our primary method of control…Read more about Aphids on Cucurbits[Read More]
Late summer is a time when vegetable growers spend much of their time harvesting produce. Many growers, however, also find it is necessary to apply pesticides. All pesticides label state a preharvest interval (PHI) on the label. This is the amount of time, in days, between the time the fruit is sprayed with a pesticides and the time…Read more about Preharvest Intervals[Read More]
Corn earworm flights are quite variable around the state, but are generally heavy. Counts in pheromone traps are higher in the northern part of the state, with the LaPorte County trap reporting 1422 moths over a 7 day period last week. That’s about 20 X the threshold level. As I wrote in the last newsletter,…Read more about Corn Earworms[Read More]
Beginning Farmer Tour Date: September 29, 2016 Location: River Ridge Farm, Roann, IN. This four-season farm produces vegetables and small fruits. The tour will include information about operating an on-farm store, farm-to-school, and four-season growing.The tour will be 9 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. (EST). Lunch will be served.The tours are free, but registration is required. Registration at https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/wk_rules.asp?itemID=22368…Read more about Upcoming Events[Read More]
There has been some concern about poor fruit set in pumpkin fields that otherwise have healthy vigorous vines. This summer we have experienced above normal temperatures for much of the pumpkin fruit set season and I suspect that has played a role. This article will consider temperature as well as other factors that influence pumpkin…Read more about Pumpkin Fruit Set[Read More]
In issue 619 of the Vegetable Crops Hotline newsletter I reported that during April 2016 research focusing on the development of a unique market segment for Indiana melon growers was initiated. The research aims to demonstrate that through the use of high tunnels or greenhouses growers will be able to market melons earlier and increase…Read more about High Tunnel Evaluation of Vertically-Grown Cantaloupe and Galia Melon Varieties[Read More]
Important Input Needed! Clear Choices Clean Water, in cooperation with the Office of the Indiana State Chemist and the Purdue Pesticides Program, is conducting a survey to guide state-wide pollinator protection efforts. How does this impact you? More than 1/3 of all plants or plant products consumed by humans are dependent on insects for pollination. Please help…Read more about Pollinator Survey[Read More]
I have recently received calls from growers who use surface water to irrigate produce crops. Their concern was that the results of their current water tests were very different from their last tests and that levels of indicator organisms appeared to have increased dramatically. Ponds and lakes that are used for irrigation can be very…Read more about What’s Causing My Water Test Results to Change?[Read More]
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