Growers across the state are finishing up pruning. Most apple and blueberry growers are done, and bramble and grape growers are finishing up. Even though this is a late spring compared to some recent years, there are still chances of spring frost damage. Grape growers can use long or double pruning to help delay bud[Read More…]
Most crops in the Lafayette area are still dormant. Strawberries and brambles are just starting to grow. It looks like we lost all our peach flower buds. Grapes also were damaged badly by the Jan 30-31 low temperatures in our area. We have several varieties with less than 50% primary bud survival so we are[Read More…]
We are seeing a lot of powdery and downy mildew on grapes this year. These diseases often get established in the late season after harvest. It is important to maintain healthy foliage all the way until frost to maximize winter hardiness. So managing these diseases is important in years like this. Growers should consider a[Read More…]
I wanted to let you know that ISDA/IG was recently awarded a grant in partnership with the Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Dept of Education and Purdue Extension to create an all-inclusive local food sourcing guide for schools called Indiana Grown for Schools: School Food Service Resource Guide. This 2 year project will start[Read More…]
Apple harvest is ongoing with Pixie Crunch being picked this week. Grape harvest continues as the warmer conditions hasten ripening. Most growers are getting into late season varieties. Powdery mildew on grapes is worse than we’ve seen it in quite a while. Primocane blackberry harvest continues and most cultivars are still blooming so there is[Read More…]
Grape harvest is underway for early and mid-season varieties. Downy and powdery mildew are showing up in vineyards. Table grapes have been especially nice this year. Primocane bramble harvest is also underway. Surprising low number of spotted wing Drosophila have been found in grapes or brambles. Frequent rains are very unwelcome as they generally have[Read More…]
2018 is looking a bit like 2016 with all this late summer rain. We’ve had statewide rainfall each of the past 5 weeks. Most unwelcome! Sour rot and Ripe rot are becoming common in our research trials and vineyards around the state. Early ripening thin-skinned varieties are especially prone to skin splitting and cracking due[Read More…]
With harvest around the corner for many fruit crops, I thought this would be a good time to remind readers about our email lists. Various forms of social media is used by just about everyone in today’s society. While Facebook and Twitter are much more commonly used than email, there is still a place for[Read More…]
Grape harvest is just about to get started in the southern part of the state. Growers will start harvesting early varieties next week. Most varieties are slightly ahead of normal this year. In Lafayette, early varieties are at full veraison and should be ready to harvest in the next couple of weeks. We generally harvest[Read More…]