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tomato stem with section of dying tan colored tissue

White mold or timber rot in tomatoes

July 1, 2026

During routine scouting of plants in the high tunnels at DSAC, a tomato plant was observed to be severely wilted. Upon further inspection, a dried up, tan colored section of the stem was found just above the first string of the trellis weave tying system. The plant was carefully removed and placed...

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From Northeastern Illinois (DuPage County): Tornadoes and extreme weather events

July 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

On the evening of June 11, a tornado touched down in Bartlett and continued southeast bound towards Naperville, Lisle and Northern Indiana. A total of 23 tornadoes were confirmed on June 11 for the Chicago area from the...

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Give us a severe weather break, already!

July 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Weather update and outlook from Illinois State Climatologist, Trent Ford.Following the warmest April on record in Illinois, May cooled us down a bit, with temperatures that were right around 1 degree below average. June temperatures have been a mixed bag of warmer conditions early in the month and...

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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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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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From Northeastern Illinois (St. Charles): Rain rain go away!

July 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

When local meteorologists said it would be a wet spring for Northern Illinois, they sure weren’t lying! At the time that I am writing this, the rainfall for the month as of June 25 is 6.45 inches for Elgin, which is 2.68 inches above the June monthly average. While this is much needed rainfall for...

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person working on vines inside a high tunnel

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: High tunnel crops enjoyed the moderate June weather conditions

July 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, strawberries, eggplant, green beans and herbs all appreciated the moderate June temperatures experienced at DSAC. The average maximum temperature was 86.5° F, average minimum temperature was 64.5° F, and the monthly rainfall total was 6.35 inches. All of the...

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row of green tomato plants in a high tunnel

Early observations from high tunnel determinate tomato variety trial

May 29, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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