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]
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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]
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]
Indiana saw a lot of precipitation the early part of this past week with rainfall totals ranging from 0.5” or greater in the northern and far southwestern counties to over 5” in south-central Indiana. In fact, an observer just south of Bedford, IN reported a combined total of 5.80”! Figure 1 shows the 2-day total…Read more about An impressive amount of rain[Read More]
The 2026-2027 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide is now available! This guide provides conventional pest management recommendations for commercial tree fruit, small fruit, and grape producers throughout the Midwest and surrounding states. These recommendations have been formulated to provide up-to-date information on pesticides and their application. It is available for free online and can be…Read more about 2026-2027 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide Now Available[Read More]
Insect scientists rely on documented observations of certain insects at specific times and places to understand insect biodiversity and specific pest issues. Interestingly, our records of where insects occur in Indiana are thin, with many regions of the state with little to no data on the map (Fig. 1). Even areas that appear to be…Read more about We want to learn about insects in your yard![Read More]
The Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day on July 23, co-hosted by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and the Purdue Student Farm, will offer hands-on demonstrations and presentations for small farm operators and urban growers. Attendees will learn from Purdue University and Purdue Extension experts about topics including flower production, high tunnel production…Read more about Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day[Read More]
The Purdue Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Purdue Extension invite fruit and vegetable producers to the 2026 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on July 16. Educational sessions, presented by Purdue University and Purdue Extension experts, will discuss topics including high tunnel production systems, pollinator management, soil health strategies and innovative weed and pest…Read more about Purdue Fruit & Vegetable Field Day[Read More]
When growers are asked about the top challenges in plasticulture strawberry production, frost/freeze damage are almost always at the top of the list. Anyone living in Indiana understands how unpredictable spring weather can be. This year, in southern Indiana, we experienced warm periods with average daily temperatures exceeding 60 °F in mid-February, followed by sharp…Read more about Spread out Flower Timing to Reduce Spring Frost/Freeze Risks in Plasticulture Strawberry Production[Read More]
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