Fruits

Due to the adverse health effects associated with exposure to dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), commonly known as Dacthal, the U.S. Environmental...

During the weekend of July 12 to 14 and the week of July 15, we had some farms that received quite a lot of rain and severe winds. Some farms reported receiving 7-8 inches of rain while others, like in the Freeport area, had about 3-4 inches. This was combined with very warm temperatures (above 90...

The summer growing season is here and it feels like it.  We are in the midst of a stretch of heat with continued highs in the 90s.  We overall have had modest humidity and a breeze most days which makes it tolerable for us, but plants are really showing stress.  There is some soil...

Who ever heard of plasticulture strawberry season and peach season overlapping but it did this year.  Combined with at least a two week early start to the season and cultivars like ‘Ruby June’ strawberry that just keeps producing, this year’s strawberry harvest lasted a good solid seven...

Crops are responding to warm spring temperatures and increased daylength. The crimson clover cover crop began flowering on March 29 and by April 3 was in full flower and ready to be terminated. In our current research project, “Strategies for Improving Biological Control of Insect Pests for...

Out in the field, spring plantings have been off to a good start.  Cool season crops have been very happy.  I have early planted radishes and spring greens approaching harvest.  Potatoes are planted and I set out some spring cauliflower and broccoli the first of the month and it is...

Throughout the St Louis Metro East, the season is running roughly three weeks ahead of schedule, with asparagus in its third week of harvest and plasticulture strawberries in their first week of harvest. Apples are up to 5mm fruit size and thinning of fruitlets is in progress. Prior to “traditional...

In the southern region, it is time to get prepared for uncovering strawberries in both annual plasticulture and matted row systems.  When you start checking strawberry growth under covers, what you find underneath is quite different between the two systems.  Straw, the primary cover in...

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...

Just like growers who attend winter meetings to increase their knowledge and skills, Extension educators are continuously learning new or updated information to provide current, relevant research-based information to individuals, families, and groups that we serve. I recently attended the 2023...