Fruit crops are beginning development, especially in the southern part of the state. Brambles are at 1/2 to 3/4 inch green in the south, and just pushing buds in the Lafayette area. Grapes are at early swell in the south, but still dormant in the Lafayette area, though some are bleeding when pruned. Peaches are[Read More…]
Over the past 30 days, southern Indiana has received above-average precipitation which has caused some flooding and well-saturated fields. Northern Indiana has received near-normal precipitation, yet there are localized areas of pooled water. Snowfall across the state has been below normal throughout the entire season, mostly due to temperatures staying above freezing. As the dormant[Read More…]
Strawberry production with the annual plasticulture system is successfully used in southern states. Plug plants are planted in fall and strawberries are harvested in spring the next year. The planting is usually not carried over to crop a second year. Compared with matted row system, annual plasticulture system has advantages such as easier weed and[Read More…]
The proper time to remove straw from matted row strawberries is when the bare-soil temperature at 4 inches averages about 40-43˚F. This usually coincides with mid to late March in central Indiana. This year is about average with most parts of central and northern Indiana at 40˚F or above as of 3/22/20. Plants begin pushing[Read More…]
The most important spray of the season for control of anthracnose on brambles is the delayed dormant spray of lime sulfur, Sulforix or copper hydroxide. Delayed dormant is when buds are fully expanded and new leaves are exposed about a half inch. If you have a problem with anthracnose, this is one spray that you[Read More…]
As this outbreak unfolds, please feel free to contact me with any questions by phone or email. I am so grateful for the essential and important work that you all do and will help and support you in any way I can. In the meantime, I’ll provide you with the updated information on plant diseases[Read More…]
In an October 2019 Hot Topics article on the Facts for Fancy Fruit website, I referenced the new regulatory changes to herbicides containing the active ingredient paraquat. One of the new requirements is for closed system packaging. To quote the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): “New closed-system packaging (is) designed to prevent transfer or removal of[Read More…]
Due to the COVID crisis, all Purdue Extension meetings have been cancelled until further notice. Some may be offered by distance education, but no in-person meetings will be allowed. Most Purdue Extension staff are working from home. We are available to answer your questions by email, phone or through social media. Our contact information is[Read More…]
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