April Showers or Lingering Drought? Beth Hall, Indiana State Climatologist March wrapped up as one of Indiana’s wettest (44th wettest out of 126 years) and warmest (16th warmest). It was marked by unusually warm days and then cool days. Was it ever just average? Certainly, most days fell within the climatological range of temperatures. Precipitation[Read More…]
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Spring temperatures and the season so far It seems like it’s been warm and that we’re way ahead of normal. But the data paint a slightly different picture. First, let’s not talk too much about “normal”. In the last 10 years or so that I’ve been plotting these data, EVERY year has been warmer than[Read More…]
On behalf of the Purdue University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the Extension Organic Agriculture Specialist, full-time staff position based at the Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN campus. The primary purpose of this position is to help coordinate Purdue University’s Extension efforts through the diversification of Indiana[Read More…]
Last week when the heavy frost hit us, air temperature at Southwest Purdue Ag Center (SWPAC) in Vincennes, IN dropped to 24°F. We did not take action for frost protection on the strawberries growing with the annual plasticulture system, considering only two early cultivars start to bloom at that time. However, this appears to be[Read More…]
A natural wonder will occur in 15 states this year: the emergence of the Brood X, 17-year periodical cicadas! Also known as “17-year or 13-year locusts” the last mass emergence of these insects occurred in 2004. Now, 17 years later, the immature cicadas will emerge from the ground, molt one last time to gain wings,[Read More…]
With many orchards suffering severe frost damage last year, our expectation is for very heavy flowering this spring. We’ll talk more about thinning next time, but it’s a pretty safe prediction that flowering will be heavy and so growers will really need to have their act together regarding thinning. So make sure now that your[Read More…]
Warm temperatures over the last week or so have accelerated growth rapidly. In Lafayette, apples are nearing green tip, and strawberries at full bloom. Blackberries are pushing half-inch green. Further south in the state, temperatures are in the mid 70’s, apricots are in full bloom and peaches not quite at pink (thanks to Applacres for[Read More…]
A special project group of the North Central Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center wants to learn about your concerns and experiences with herbicide drift. The group is surveying growers of fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops in the upper Midwest. To truly understand the frequency, severity, and economic impact of herbicide drift on specialty crops,[Read More…]
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