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Tomatoes growing inside high tunnel with two different types of trellising methods shown

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: High tunnel trials are underway

May 1, 2026

Tomato and pepper variety trials are being conducted in one of the high tunnels at DSAC, with a planting date of April 6. Tomato variety trials will consist of 5 determinate varieties, 6 indeterminate varieties, and 6 bell pepper varieties. In anticipation of the indeterminate varieties growing...

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A field planted with rows of green plants with standing water in the field

From Northeastern Illinois (St. Charles): Spotty frosts and continued rain create flooding and planting delays

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

If you established a cover crop last fall or earlier this spring, the persistent April rainfall likely worked in your favor. Across northern Illinois, April weather was highly variable but ultimately warmer and much wetter than normal, shaping planting conditions throughout the western Chicago...

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A small diameter apple trunk with a vertical split in the bark from winter damage

Assessing winter trunk damage in May: apples and stone fruits

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

May is a critical month for assessing winter trunk damage because trees are fully leafing out and water demand is increasing. Differences in vigor among cultivars and rootstocks that were subtle during bloom are often more obvious now. Along with thinning decisions, this is a good time to evaluate...

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From St. Louis Metro East: Spring is here again

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

One final regional update from Elizabeth Wahle. And the cycle begins again for 2026. Asparagus harvest is ongoing and a good crop overall is being reported. Plasticulture strawberries are in week two of harvest and as usual for early berries, could benefit from some heat and...

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A close-up of a blueberry on the cover of a midwest fruit pest management guide publication

2026-2027 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide now available

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The 2026-2027 Midwest Fruit Pest Guide has been updated and the PDF files are available for download. New this year, the spray guide has been divided up into separate sections by fruit family and you can download specific sections, making it...

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A finger holding a branch with green leaves emerging from fruit bud

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Springtime bloom

May 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Bloom PeriodBy the time you read this, most fruit trees in northern Illinois will have bloomed. When I visited an orchard in mid‑April, most cultivars were at tight cluster to half‑inch green. Just a week later, some cultivars had already entered late pink and even bloom. This...

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

April 1, 2026

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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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