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From Dixon Springs Ag Center: What a difference a month can make!

July 28, 2026

What a difference a month can make!In last month’s DSAC update, it was noted that crops were performing well and not showing any signs of heat stress. That cannot be said this month. Tomato fruit quality issues are quite noticeable, appearing on the outside as yellow shoulder and white core on the...

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Available and ready to help

July 28, 2026

I first want to thank all the growers that have reached out to share their support on my new role as Extension Specialist for specialty crops. I am honored and excited to take on this role! In recent years I have been focused more on row crops, so I am working on wrapping up projects...

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black and yellow striped insect on a yellow cucumber flower

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Progress of high tunnel research and apple season

July 28, 2026

Freeport High School High Tunnel Research, July 2026The cucumber and tomato high tunnel research project at the Freeport High School Student Garden continues to highlight both the benefits and challenges of protected vegetable production in Northern Illinois. Cucumbers have...

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healthy apple tree with plenty of leaves but no fruit

No apple crop in 2026? Focus on finishing the season strong

July 28, 2026

As I've talked with apple growers across northern Illinois this June and July, I've heard many variations of the same question:"The crop is gone. What should I be doing now?"For some growers, spring freeze events resulted in complete crop losses. Others have orchards with highly variable...

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From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Summer annual vegetable crops in full swing

July 28, 2026

Summer is rolling on, about like a steamroller at the moment! We are in the midst of a summer wave of heat and humidity. Temperatures starting this last week of July are pushing 100 degrees with very high humidity. While we have not had a lot of rain in the past week, the last month has been pretty...

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misshaped apple fruit from frost damage on tree limb

Fall orchard management: The work that shapes next year's crop

July 28, 2026

Yes, it’s August. Yes, you are not in peak harvest. Yet, you may already be thinking about next year. While you are understandably focused on yield, fruit quality, labor, and getting apples picked at the right time, some of the most important management decisions for 2027’s crop happen AFTER...

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person walking through a field holding a canister and a spray wand making a herbicide application

Johanning selected as new Extension Specialist-Commercial Agriculture Specialty Crops

July 1, 2026

Nathan Johanning has been selected as the new Extension Specialist - Commercial Agriculture in Specialty Crops and will begin his new role on July 1. Nathan will be filling the position held by Elizabeth Wahle prior to her retirement. He is a 13-year veteran of Illinois Extension, where he has...

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Indeterminate tomato variety trial fruit observations from DSAC

July 1, 2026

Historically, applied fruit and vegetable research conducted at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois has always included variety trials, whether in open field production or in high tunnels. For the past 15 years, research projects have been conducted...

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tomato plants wilting and dying in high tunnel

From Central Illinois (Bloomington): From not enough to too much rain - saturated soils are enhancing food safety risks and killing crops

July 1, 2026

According to NOAA weather data, between May 1 and 30, Bloomington-Normal area received about 2.1” of rain – less than half the historical average of 4.8” in that month. We were heading back towards drought-like conditions for many growers – until June. As of the time of writing this part of...

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Ginger update: Container-grown, field-grown ginger doing well, receiving first fertigation dose

July 1, 2026

We are one month in to the second year of a statewide, cross-Illinois fresh ginger rhizome trial, with 6 Extension field staff and 14+ specialty growers collaborating to identify and improve best practices of fresh ginger rhizome production. We are looking at high tunnel and field cultivation of...

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Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Latest Posts

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: What a difference a month can make!

Available and ready to help

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Progress of high tunnel research and apple season

No apple crop in 2026? Focus on finishing the season strong

From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Summer annual vegetable crops in full swing

Fall orchard management: The work that shapes next year's crop

Johanning selected as new Extension Specialist-Commercial Agriculture Specialty Crops

Indeterminate tomato variety trial fruit observations from DSAC

From Central Illinois (Bloomington): From not enough to too much rain - saturated soils are enhancing food safety risks and killing crops

Ginger update: Container-grown, field-grown ginger doing well, receiving first fertigation dose

Blog Authors

Nathan Johanning

Bronwyn Aly

Nick Frillman