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Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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What specialty crop growers need to know about the Dicamba over-the-top in soybeans for 2026

April 1, 2026

In February, the USEPA announced that three dicamba-containing products were approved for over-the-top (OTT) applications in soybean fields in 2026, with validity for only two years pending further review. Those three products are: Stryax (Bayer), Engenia (BASF), and...

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From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Perennial fruit crops moving ahead despite cold weather

April 1, 2026

We have been on the spring roller coaster for temperatures in southern Illinois. March 15-17 saw temperatures plummet, with March 16 not even getting above freezing. We saw lows down to the upper teens across the area. However, by the weekend we were pushing 90 degrees for high...

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ginger rhizome seed stock with bluish gray mold on edge

Ginger grant update: Illinois ginger growers' rhizome seed issues and learning opportunities

April 1, 2026

Heading into year two of the Illinois Ginger Growers Collaborative project, fourteen small farmers and six Extension field staff have just received their ginger rhizome seed pieces. Four varieties of ginger rhizome seed from two different vendors are being evaluated for vigor, disease incidence or...

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map of illinois with blue and green colors showing low temperatures across the state

From St. Louis Metro East: Growers may have lucked out following temperature roller coaster around St. Patrick's Day

April 1, 2026

The luck of the leprechauns may have been with growers this St. Patrick’s Day. By that I mean apples and peaches in Southern Illinois were/are all in bud development stages sensitive to below freezing temperatures, and we definitely got below freezing. Where the luck came in is...

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From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Storm damage from early March changes research plans

April 1, 2026

The mid March cold snap brought temperatures in the 18 to 22 degree range across southern Illinois. Double row covers on plasticulture strawberries did not provide enough protection to save flowers from popcorn up to full bloom in maturity. Flowers in tight bud were saved for the most part. As of...

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person with brown hair wearing a yellow shirt

Elizabeth Wahle reflects on her time with Illinois Extension as she prepares for retirement

April 1, 2026

When I started with Extension, I was fresh out of my Ph.D. program with Dr. John Masiunas…and really wet behind the ears compared to what I know now. I have so many people to thank for sharing their expertise and friendship throughout my career, including colleagues, growers, and support...

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From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Cover crop residue and spring growth at Unity Community Center Research and Demonstration Area

April 1, 2026

Over the last 5 years, efforts have been made at the Unity Community Center’s Research and Demonstration Area Garden in Normal, IL to rejuvenate garden soils used for food-insecure community food production through extensive cover crop utilization. This approach was taken due to the condition...

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clear plastic tightly covering rows of plants inside a high tunnel

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Solarization started for overwintering cover crops

March 10, 2026

After the success of solarizing cover crops last year in our high tunnel, we will be covering all the beds with clear plastic mulch to achieve termination ahead of our April 1 target plant date for tomatoes and peppers. Plastic is stapled into the wooden side boards of the raised beds, spanning two...

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A close up of a pepper plant with red and green fruits.

Consider snacking or lunchbox peppers this season

March 10, 2026

When I studied red knight bell peppers (X3R from Johnny’s Seeds) in South Dakota for graduate school, they loved the 90-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, possibly because of how dry and arid it was. Last summer, I really struggled with bell peppers as it was hot and humid with fluctuating...

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A group of people sitting in chairs in an auditorium at a college

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference Recap

March 10, 2026

Our 30th Annual Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference was held on Monday, February 16, in Rockford. Nearly 120 growers and community college students attended this event, which focuses on timely updates for fruit and vegetable growers in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. We were...

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Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Latest Posts

What specialty crop growers need to know about the Dicamba over-the-top in soybeans for 2026

From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Perennial fruit crops moving ahead despite cold weather

Ginger grant update: Illinois ginger growers' rhizome seed issues and learning opportunities

From St. Louis Metro East: Growers may have lucked out following temperature roller coaster around St. Patrick's Day

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Storm damage from early March changes research plans

Elizabeth Wahle reflects on her time with Illinois Extension as she prepares for retirement

From Central Illinois (Bloomington): Cover crop residue and spring growth at Unity Community Center Research and Demonstration Area

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Solarization started for overwintering cover crops

Consider snacking or lunchbox peppers this season

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Stateline Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference Recap

Blog Authors

Nathan Johanning

Bronwyn Aly

Nick Frillman