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Temperatures across Indiana averaged 2°F below normal during the past 30 days (April 28–May 27) (Figure 1). Warmer-than-normal conditions earlier in April accelerated the start of the growing season, though cooler weather lately slowed Modified Growing Degree Day (MGDD) accumulation. Since April 1, MGDD totals have ranged from about 150 units in northern Indiana to…Read more about Dryness Returns to Northern Indiana as Southern Conditions Improve[Read More]
As the fruit crops recover, some frost rings have appeared in our apples. In the past two weeks, our monitoring traps in the orchard have caught 70 dogwood borer (Synanthedon scitula) individuals, 17 coddling moth (Cydia pomonella) individuals, and 0 oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) individuals. An apple cover was applied 5/22, and a grape…Read more about Crop conditions[Read More]
Purdue Extension is hosting two field days this July that together cover a wide range of fruit and vegetable production topics – one tailored to small-scale and urban growers, and one designed for commercial producers looking to engage directly with the latest research from Purdue. Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Field Day – July 16, 2026…Read more about Two Purdue Field Days This Summer Have Something for Every Fruit and Vegetable Grower[Read More]
We have experienced several cool days over the past two weeks. One watermelon trial at Southwest Purdue Ag Center was planted on May 4, and during the two days following transplanting, recorded air temperatures dropped below 50°F. We evaluated plant survival 9 days after transplanting. In this trial, we had grafted and non-grafted seedless watermelons,…Read more about Watermelon Plant Survival[Read More]
The first week of May certainly didn’t feel like May as temperatures ended up 5-10°F below normal across the state (Figure 1). Daytime maximum temperatures struggled to reach 60°F across the northern half of the state, while southern areas only saw low 60s for much of the week. Using Indianapolis as a reference point given…Read more about May’s cold start and a pattern change[Read More]
The grape vines have started to recover from the frost we had in April; shoots have started growing again. In the past two weeks, our monitoring traps in the orchard have caught 4 dogwood borer (Synanthedon scitula) individuals, 20 coddling moth (Cydia pomonella) individuals, and 0 oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) individuals. A thinning spray…Read more about Crop conditions[Read More]
The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, or TPB can create some serious problems for strawberry growers this time of year, as their damage leads to misshapen fruit. This pest is a True Bug, meaning it feeds using piercing-sucking mouthparts and develops through incomplete metamorphosis; eggs hatch into nymphs that look like adults but increase in…Read more about Tarnished plant bugs in strawberry[Read More]
Strawberry harvest has begun in southern Indiana, with growers reporting that the season started at least a week earlier than usual. We experienced a frost event in mid-March, along with a few light, scattered frosts afterward. Fortunately, with the use of row covers, crop damage has been minimal across the region. Overall, the spring was…Read more about Plasticulture Strawberry Update in Southern Indiana[Read More]
Hello. Some of our more sensitive fruit crops have suffered from recent freezing temperatures. Fruit set is almost non-existent on plums and peaches. Our first grape shoots have around 20% survival. The apples and pears seem to be fine. The consequences of an early start to the season are apparent here at Meigs. In other…Read more about Crop conditions[Read More]
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