Tomato harvest has been steady but less than mid-summer for the past three weeks mainly due to a more moderate flower set and fruits ripening slower, creating a reduction in overall fruit load compared to July. Peppers are continuing to size well and have allowed for a once per week harvest time this past month. The impact of fruit load and high temperatures can be seen on the bottom half of the tomato plants where the leaves are dried up and brown. Conversely, the top half of the plants are flush with new green growth and sizing and ripening fruits. The plants in one of the tunnels received a major pruning, as the top growth and side suckers were making harvest and spraying for worms a challenge, as well as impeding airflow.
To go along with the typical stink bug, caterpillar, and aphid pressure, flea beetles are also quite noticeable on the tomatoes in the high tunnels this year. No fruit damage is occurring from the flea beetles, but this is the first time I can remember seeing this level of leaf damage. Flea beetles are very common on brassicas like radishes, turnips, collards, kale, etc.; leafy greens and root crops like spinach and beets; and solanaceous crops including eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. They feed on the leaves, creating a “shothole” effect, which can eventually cause the plants to be stunted or wilt.
Mid-September brought some much-needed rain to many parts of southeastern Illinois, with rain fall reports ranging from 1 to 3 inches. Rainfall from this event was spread over 2 to 3 days, with most periods delivering slow, steady rain. A few locations saw heavy downpours but most of those were over quickly. Based on information from the U.S. Drought Monitor for the Midwest region, the rains moved a few counties in southeastern Illinois from severe drought to moderate drought intensity but was not enough to move any of the counties into the abnormally dry classification.
