Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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lots of red apples hanging on limbs of tree

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Apple and pumpkin update

As of this week, 9/22, we are about halfway into the apple season in Northern Illinois. I’ve had the opportunity to visit six orchards in the area this month and the crop looks good overall. Some orchards are running about a week ahead compared to last season. The end of September will bring...
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display of orange, blue, and tan pumpkins on top of upside down milk crates

From St. Louis Metro East: Fall agritourism season has opened

Despite droughty conditions much of the growing season, the pumpkin crop looks plentiful.  Apple harvest is in the ‘Golden Delicious’ window, including ‘Pixie Crunch’ into ‘Braeburn’.  Though in the tail end, tomatoes are still in harvest.  Fall activities like corn mazes, pumpkin...
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person talking and holding a microphone

Back to drought in Illinois

Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist, provided this weather report. Fall came early in Illinois, with temperatures between 1.5 and 3.5 degrees below normal since late August (Figure 1). Nighttime low temperatures have dipped into the low 40s and upper 30s multiple times, and we set some low...
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tomato leaves and stems drooping and wilted

Managing high temperature stress in specialty crops

The following article was written by Dr. James Santiago, Assistant Professor Horticulture, University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences. Many specialty crops we consume develop from flowers including apples, squash, beans, peas, etc. Having an elongated shape, the State of Illinois has...
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Elizabeth Wahle

Elizabeth Wahle

Extension Specialist, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Commercial Agriculture)
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