Commercial Vegetable Production

Blog Posts
many small cream colored larva feeding on the inside of a plant stem
Swede midge
Swede midge is an invasive pest of brassicas introduced to North America in 2000 where it was detected in Canada. Since then, it has been detected in...
cracks in bare soil inside and between raised beds inside high tunnel
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Insects were thriving in the heat of September
The relentless heat and humidity of September are finally over. Lack of soil moisture and continued high temperatures created many noticeable cracks...
group of orange pumpkins in field beside green plants
From Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo): Fall pumpkin and apple season is upon us
We are finally starting to feel a little more fall like in the region.  Up until the latter part of September we had maintained many days of...
tiny yellowing shriveled up pumpkin fruit with brown flower still attached on pumpkin vine
Why are my pumpkin fruit dying after bloom?
Often, I get the question: “My pumpkins bloom, but then the female fruit just shrivel up and die. Why is this happening?”There is no one...
More Blogs

News Releases
A group of participants walking in a pumpkin field.
Local growers get fresh research and production strategies at Pumpkin Field Day
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Attendees from across the Midwest braved the triple-digit temperatures to attend Pumpkin Field Day. The biannual event welcomed growers, educators, and industry partners for a hands-on pumpkin field day that highlighted the latest research, production strategies, and on‑farm...
Two split images with a person researching in a greenhouse on left and orange pumpkin on right.
Pumpkin disease not evolving, could make a difference for management
URBANA, Ill. — The pathogen that causes bacterial spot is very good at what it does. Forming small lesions on the rinds of pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits, it mars the fruits’ appearance and ushers in secondary pathogens that lead to rot and severe yield loss. The bacterium,...
Alexis Barnes photo that says Welcome to the Team
New Illinois Extension educator returns home to support local food growers
ST. CHARLES, Ill. — From raising animals and bees to fruit and vegetable production, University of Illinois Extension strives to help small farms thrive. This summer, a new Extension educator joins the team to specifically support local food production in Kane, DuPage, and Kendall counties....
More News

Videos

Staff