Hello! This is our third crop conditions update this season. The fruit trees are progressing well as things get up and going around the farm. Most everything has passed 1 or more stages of growth since the third week of this month. Monday the 28th marked our first fungicide application in the vineyard, with the[Read More…]
Midwestern farmers have faced a buildup of pesticide resistance in pigweeds (waterhemp and Palmer amaranth), highlighting the importance of scouting to detect weeds early in their growth stages. Otherwise, weed escapes are a common issue as herbicides lose their efficacy when weeds are allowed to grow long enough into their growth cycle. The Midwestern Regional[Read More…]
Interested in planting brambles? Here’s what you need to know! What are brambles? Bramble crops are from the genus Rubus and include blackberries and raspberries. Brambles are among the easiest fruit crops to grow, and the fruit is in high demand due to its exotic flavor and high nutritional value. Brambles can be planted in[Read More…]
Bare-root strawberry plants often arrive with roots that are 6 to 10 inches long. For optimal planting, the roots should be kept straight, which requires digging a deep hole or using specialized tools. If the planting hole is too shallow, the roots may bend and form what is known as a ‘J-root’. You may have[Read More…]
Spring is in full swing in our research high tunnels at Purdue. Overwintering strawberries that we planted in September are now in full bloom and fruits are being harvested. But as temperatures increase and crops become more productive, we also see the emergence of various insect pests. Aphids, amongst other soft-bodied insect pests (e.g., whiteflies,[Read More…]
Join Veterans in Farming and Purdue University for a Grape Planting Workshop followed by a wine tasting on June 3rd at The Rejoicing Vine Winery in Indianapolis, IN. Come see what it takes to cultivate grapes and operate a winery! Learn from Purdue viticulture specialist Miranda Purcell all about grape planting and growing techniques for[Read More…]
Indiana Horticulture Society Field Day Wednesday, July 9th Chandler’s Orchard & Country Market Fillmore, Indiana Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day Thursday, July 24th Purdue Student Farm West Lafayette, IN https://ag.purdue.edu/events/department/hla/2025/07/purdue-small-farm-education-field-day.html Southwest Purdue Ag Center Field Day Thursday, July 26th Southwest Purdue Ag Center Vincennes, IN https://vegcropshotline.org/article/southwest-purdue-agriculture-center-field-day-june-26-2025/#:~:text=Southwest%20Purdue%20Agriculture%20Center%20Field,Purdue%20University%20Vegetable%20Crops%20Hotline New Sprayer Technologies & Best Practices: Vineyards &[Read More…]
The Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC) is one of the eight Purdue Agricultural Centers located across Indiana. What makes SWPAC unique is its location in the heart of Indiana’s watermelon-growing region—home to one of the state’s most significant specialty crop industries. In addition to watermelon and cantaloupe, southern Indiana is known for its diverse fruit[Read More…]
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