Since 2016, the Rockford Illinois Extension office has been home to a small planting of honeyberry (also known as haskap) bushes. Originally supported by a Specialty Crops Block Grant, the project explored the potential of honeyberries—and goji berries—for Northern Illinois growers. (Spoiler: goji...

Mechanical termination of the annual ryegrass cover crop has continued to be a problem in the treatment tunnel. Some of the annual ryegrass plots have continued to regrow even after two cuttings. These last two cuttings were a challenge because the tomato transplants were already set and tied with...

After about 4.5 weeks of pre-sprouting in coconut coir, using heat mats, temperature controllers set to 77 F, and humidity domes, 8x 1020 flats of ginger rhizomes were ready for planting on May 16th. Additionally, one flat of tissue-culture ginger plants received on May 9th were ready as well....

Apple Fruit SetFor the week of May 19, apples are currently at about 10-11 mm for most varieties this far north. The season is moving quickly and with this growth, some growers have started their first chemical thinning application for the season. I was a bit concerned about...

Muskmelons are considered a high value crop in Northern Illinois and continue to be a popular choice at farmers markets. Certain specialty melons like cantaloupe and honeydew are often too big to enjoy in one sitting, which can negatively affect fruit quality in just 1-2 days. However, muskmelons...

Animals of all kinds, whether they are wildlife, domesticated animals, work animals, pets, or pests, are all potential sources of contamination to fresh produce and water sources on the farm. Animals can track their feces containing harmful microorganisms from one place to another so their presence...

Peaches hanging in there - On Friday, May 16, tornadoes impacted several locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky.  Many in surrounding areas not directly affected by the...

Since the last newsletter, several cold fronts have come through the region; not enough to take the fruit crop, but enough to slow development and do some damage to blackberry canes in the northern part of the region. Several reported hail damage to buildings and fruit trees after severe weather,...

A growing concern observed last year was the lack of lateral branches—or “feathers”—on young apple trees, especially in high-density training systems like tall spindle. This can lead to "blind wood"—sections of trunk without productive branches—which can limit yield and canopy development.One...

Handwashing is one of the key hygienic practices that can reduce the spread of diseases and foodborne illnesses along the farm to fork continuum. We use hands to complete several tasks throughout the day and in so doing, we touch many different surfaces, some of which may contain organisms that may...