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many small cream colored larva feeding on the inside of a plant stem

Swede midge

October 2, 2026

Swede midge is an invasive pest of brassicas introduced to North America in 2000 where it was detected in Canada. Since then, it has been detected in the United States, first in New York in 2004. In the North Central region the United States, Swede midge has been detected in Michigan, Ohio,...

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cracks in bare soil inside and between raised beds inside high tunnel

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Insects were thriving in the heat of September

October 2, 2026

The relentless heat and humidity of September are finally over. Lack of soil moisture and continued high temperatures created many noticeable cracks in the soil within the high tunnels at DSAC this past month. Cooler temperatures and forecasted rain are much needed, especially for fall crops. We...

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Fall is Here, so is El Niño!

October 2, 2026

Update from Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist (217-244-1330; twford@illinois.edu)September is the first month of meteorological fall, but I guess no one told the weather. Last month was extremely warm across the state, with average temperatures...

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group of orange pumpkins in field beside green plants

From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Fall pumpkin and apple season is upon us

October 2, 2026

We are finally starting to feel a little more fall like in the region. Up until the latter part of September we had maintained many days of temperatures in the mid-90s, but fortunately temperatures have started to drop, and the hot days are hopefully mostly behind us for this season. As...

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close up of a person smiling with long brown hair, colorful necklace, and maroon jacket

Illinois Extension welcomes new Local Food Systems & Small Farms educator

August 31, 2026

The newest member of the Illinois Extension Local Food Systems & Small Farms team is Krista Howard. Krista officially started with Extension on August 24 and will be covering Clark, Edgar, and Crawford counties. The Local Foods team is excited to welcome Krista onboard! Any growers located in...

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tiny yellowing shriveled up pumpkin fruit with brown flower still attached on pumpkin vine

Why are my pumpkin fruit dying after bloom?

August 31, 2026

Often, I get the question: “My pumpkins bloom, but then the female fruit just shrivel up and die. Why is this happening?”There is no one answer to this but here are some of the contributing factors to why the plant will abort fruit. Good news and bad news - it is nothing you did...

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field of healthy dark green pumpkin plants

From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Keep your guard up, crop scouting is important for fall crops too!

August 31, 2026

I had forgotten that it could actually rain in August! After the last few years of late summer droughts, the timely rainfall this year in our area has been much appreciated. It is nice to not have summer crops struggling for water and the soil being as hard as a brick. I have...

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two rows of apple trees with red fruit hanging and the words illinois beginning orchard academy surrounded by a light yellow oval

Illinois Beginning Orchard Academy (IBOA)

August 31, 2026

I'm pleased to share that registration is now open for the Illinois Beginning Orchard Academy (IBOA), a six-week online course designed to help beginning fruit growers build a successful orchard from the ground up. Following a successful winter cohort, I'm...

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a field with strawberry plants set out in rows of black plastic mulch

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Summer harvest might be slowing but your irrigation needs to stay steady

August 31, 2026

The determinate tomato crop from the high tunnels at DSAC was picked out by the second week of August, which is a bit earlier than normal. A few late season fruits have set on the very tops of the plants, but I doubt they will amount to much of a harvest. The indeterminate tomato plants were...

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2026 Pumpkin Field Day

August 28, 2026

From seasoned commercial growers to those simply curious about Illinois' signature specialty crop, everyone can enjoy a day centered on pumpkins. Illinois Extension will kick off the fall season with Pumpkin Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 3, at...

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Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Latest Posts

Swede midge

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Insects were thriving in the heat of September

Fall is Here, so is El Niño!

From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Fall pumpkin and apple season is upon us

Illinois Extension welcomes new Local Food Systems & Small Farms educator

Why are my pumpkin fruit dying after bloom?

From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Keep your guard up, crop scouting is important for fall crops too!

Illinois Beginning Orchard Academy (IBOA)

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Summer harvest might be slowing but your irrigation needs to stay steady

2026 Pumpkin Field Day

Blog Authors

Nathan Johanning

Bronwyn Aly

Nick Frillman