Fall Cover Crop Mixtures With spring weather pushing growth, our cover crops are also taking off as well.  I had some early fall planted spring oats, crimson clover, and rapeseed (25/6/2 lb/A, respectively) in a few areas including some planted after potato harvest last year...

We have been on the typical March roller coaster for weather lately.  We have generally been fairly mild but have gone from a few days around 80°F to some morning lows in the upper 20s.  We have still been relatively dry for the month of March with only 1.54” of rain to date (as of 3/25/...

Early season cole crops have been planted in the caterpillar tunnel set up over the winter at DSAC. Instead of covering this smaller tunnel with clear plastic, a 30% shade cloth has been attached. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and swiss chard transplants were planted on March 21. Compost...

Our warm overall winter and above normal February temperatures signaled plants to break dormancy early, putting many of our crops, especially peaches, at risk of freeze damage. The potential for frost/freeze events from mid-March through mid to late April is typically high, putting peaches in...

Plum curculio has been a growing problem in most peach and apple orchards in Illinois. A small weevil, laying eggs inside the fruit, is quite destructive to the peaches and apples. Traditionally, we have diagnosed this problem through the crescent-shaped scar that appears on fruit as a result of...

The latest addition to the demonstration tunnels at the Dixon Springs Ag Center is a caterpillar tunnel. The site was selected late last summer and the grass was sprayed with a burndown herbicide. Compost has been added and incorporated into the native soil. Crops planned to be grown in this tunnel...

Much like the rest of the state, the St. Louis Metro East has been on average experiencing warmer winters, yet the coming spring to date hasn’t been following suite.  I’ve noticed the bloom date of snowdrops (winter bloomer) seems to mirror this winter warming trend.  For example, 2018-19...

Here in Olney, we have been on the same weather roller coaster as the rest of the state. At my house, we received around 2 1/2” of snow along with sleet and drifting on February 16. In a week we have gone from 70-degree days to 19-degree lows and now back to 53 degrees. Like everyone else, I am...

Sarah Farley and I were privileged to host again the Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference on Monday, February 19, in Rockford, Illinois. Over 100 attendees and Extension educators and specialists from 4 universities joined us this year for sessions in the fruit, vegetable, and new...