This season has been hot and dry with scattered rainfall throughout the season for Northeastern Illinois. June average rainfall totals were approximately 3.80 inches, 0.50 inches below the 30-year average. July average rainfall totals have accumulated about 4.12 inches, 0.38 inches above the 30-year average. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Kane County is experiencing a severe drought, while DuPage and Kendall Counties are experiencing a moderate drought as of July 8, 2025. Weather conditions remain inconsistent throughout July with short, heavy rainfalls and hot days exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which are creating unfavorable crop conditions in the field.
Open-field tomatoes are about a week behind in ripening for the area, with most heirloom tomatoes remaining green on the vine. Heat stress symptoms like sun scalding on peppers and tomatoes, as well as wilting of leaves on cucurbit crops remain a concern throughout the hottest part of the season. Insect pests and disease pressure have been identified this season, with noticeable populations of white flies, aphids, cabbage loopers, tobacco hornworms and flea beetles. Leaf spot diseases have been common this year, with more persistence noticed in cucurbits, sunflowers and tomatoes. As we head into August, remain alert for plant heat stress symptoms as well as increased insect pest and disease pressure, it will be another hot month!
