As with other locations across the state, the extremes in weather have been felt in far southern Illinois as well. From dangerously high temperatures and heat indexes and drought conditions of a couple of weeks ago to more tolerable summertime temperatures and significant rainfall events within the last few days, most of the area has seen a drastic, and in most cases, much needed change in soil moisture. Some portions in the very southern tip of the state experienced flash flooding events due to rainfall totals exceeding 8” in a 24-hour period. Later sweet corn plantings and other perennial crops will definitely benefit from the much needed rain.

We are continuing to harvest tomatoes, peppers and cut flowers from the tunnels included in our ongoing research project, Strategies for Improving Biological Control of Insect Pests for Vegetable Growers Utilizing High Tunnels. While the majority of the tomato crop load was harvested during the second and third weeks of July, there is still a lot of fruit remaining to be harvested from the plants. Peppers have been harvested weekly as well, with the two larger harvest weeks being the first and third weeks of July. Cut flowers are also being cut weekly and second plantings of stock and sunflowers have also been made.