Hello! It’s been a wet and cool couple of weeks. Sprays in both the orchard and vineyard have been pushed back because of this and our limited time frame for planting vegetable crops. Hopefully we can get back on schedule this week. It has been ideal weather conditions for some fungal pathogens, so we will…Read more about Crop conditions[Read More]
Precipitation in May has varied tremendously, but most of the state has generally been on the dry side. Areas from Vermillion and Parke Counties to Lake Michigan have received between 25% and 75% of the normal precipitation through May 27 (Figure 1). Conditions were dry enough that thunderstorm winds on May 16 prompted the National…Read more about Will May’s Mixed Precipitation and Temperatures Persist into June?[Read More]
Phylloxera is an aphid-like insect that is native to the Eastern US. It has two distinct life forms: the root form, which feeds on the roots, can stunt growth and eventually lead to vine death. The foliar form of the insect causes galls on vine leaves (Figure 1) and is overall less concerning. The root…Read more about Managing Grapevine Phylloxera[Read More]
This is the time of year where we receive numerous reports of off-target herbicide exposure. Grapevines and fruit trees sensitive to growth regulator herbicides, including phenoxy, benzoic, and pyridine classes of compounds. 2,4-D and dicamba are the most common products, and they are used widely in corn and soybean production. Damage can range from minimal…Read more about Tips for Avoiding Herbicide Injury[Read More]
Dear readers, I hope your spring and summer seasons are off to a great start! I haven’t heard much in the last couple of weeks about common fruit insect pests, so I thought I would highlight an interesting, but probably uncommon insect issue for most readers of Facts for Fancy Fruit: the round-headed apple tree…Read more about A handsome, but damaging boring beetle[Read More]
New Sprayer Technologies & Best Practices: Vineyards & Orchards Tuesday, August 12th Quarry Hill Winery & Orchard Berlin Heights, OH GO.OSU.EDU/SPRAY2025 Indiana Horticulture Conference & Indiana Small Farms Conference March 3-5, 2026 Hendricks County Fairgrounds Danville, IN https://indianahortconference.org/ https://extension.purdue.edu/anr/_teams/dffs/small_farm_conference/index.html
A new StrawberryChat podcast episode was posted: Farmer Interview with McNitt Growers: Neopestalotiopsis and Resistant Varieties | Episode 20, May 16, 2025 In this episode, we talk with Bill McNitt, owner of McNitt Growers—a nursery specializing in spring bedding plants and fall strawberry plug production. Bill shares his firsthand insights into how Neopestalotiopsis disease has…Read more about Strawberry Chat Podcast: Neopestalotiopsis and Resistant Strawberry Varieties[Read More]
Submit your content ideas for the 2026 Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference. Do you want to hear from someone in particular or about a specific topic at this year’s newly combined conference? If so, please scan the QR code or follow the link below to submit your suggestions. The survey will be open until…Read more about We want your ideas! 2026 Indiana Horticulture and Small Farm Conference[Read More]
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