This article discusses the abiotic factors that may cause deformed strawberry fruit. Unevenly developed strawberry fruit (Figure 1): Frost damage is probably the most common abiotic factor causing misshapen strawberry fruit. Temperatures lower than 30°F kill the pistil (female part) of strawberry flowers. Depending on the extent of the injury and the stage of fruit development.[Read More…]
Small farmers are moving loads of product via online sales. Let’s talk about how, what’s working, and what you need to sell online amid a pandemic. Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition is hosting farmer-to-farmer webinars. Each one will feature a different farmer sharing the tools that are being used to sell online. About these Events You’re[Read More…]
The summer meeting is going ahead on June 30, but we’re changing the format from in-person to a virtual meeting. Again this year we will have a combined meeting with the vegetable growers and farm marketers. We will be hosted by Beasley’s Orchard, Danville IN. Beasley’s management consists of a vibrant young team comprising Calvin[Read More…]
Frost injury this spring has created a situation where grapes have a few primary shoots, some secondary shoots, and many non-count basal and latent shoots. This puts shoots at various stages of development and creates problems for growers. Regardless, some varieties are are at or nearing bloom on surviving primary shoots, which is a key[Read More…]
Apple crops are looking dismal around the state. Here in Lafayette we probably have about 20% of a crop, and I’m hearing similar things around the state. With a short crop, growers need to decide whether it’s worth protecting the fruit that are present with a full pesticide program, or writing the crop off and[Read More…]
Due to the COVID crisis, all Purdue Extension meetings have been cancelled through June. After July 1, in-person meetings may be held and will follow state and local guidelines. Most Purdue Extension staff are working from home and we are available to answer your questions by email, phone or through social media. Our contact information[Read More…]
Grapes are in early bloom in the Lafayette area. Apples are mostly in the half inch stage, where there is any fruit. June drop has not yet occurred. Frost scarring on fruits is obvious. Black raspberries are at petal fall and they generally look very good. Floricane blackberries are in bloom where there are healthy[Read More…]
There’s a saying that when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. Well, this year life has given us multiple spring frosts, so we have to make the best of the situation. Growers that have blocks with significant spring frost injury and very little crop may want to use this year to retrain vines, re-establish[Read More…]
Are you a produce grower? Have you thought about produce your own value-added products that increase the value of your fresh produce? What are the challenges for you to start or expand your value-added business? How does COVID-19 affect your business? We would like to invite you to participate in the online survey to share[Read More…]
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