High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes July 2, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes July 2, 2012

Summary: Hot and dry conditions have prevailed in the region over the last two weeks until storms over the past weekend. High winds from those storms have damaged tunnels in some areas. Yield and eating quality of tomatoes from high tunnels have been good this year, and demand and prices have been good. Tomato harvest in tunnels will be ending in July for many growers who will be moving to harvest field tomatoes. 


Join us again on July 16, 2012. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30 - 12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call. Or participate without a computer by dialing 1-866-492-6283. 

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 18, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 18, 2012
[repost]
Summary: Dr. David Conner, Univ. of Vermont, tells about research on economics of 12 hoophouses in Michigan: average net revenue $3000/yr and average effective 'wage' $9/hour. Farmers with higher profits put in more time in the 'shoulder' months of March, April and October. Current farm reports: in southwest Michigan, tomato and summer squash harvest from tunnels has begun. In northwest Indiana ground for a new tunnel is being prepared with summer green manure crops and compost.

Join us again on July 2, 2012. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30 - 12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ <https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/>  and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call. Or participate without a computer by dialing 1-866-492-6283.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 4, 2012

 High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 4, 2012

Summary: Peppers in experimental trials at Meigs Farm are blooming; possible nutritional problems observed in red raspberries; white druplets seen in blackberries; blossom end rot and zippering of tomatoes observed; pests observed on tomatoes include aphids, cabbage loopers, yellow striped armyworm, and stink bug (eggs only).

Join us again on June 18, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or just dial 1-866-492-6283.

Dr. David Conner from Univ. of Vermont will join us to discuss results of his economic research on high tunnel production in Michigan. You might be interested in reading some of the information in advance. See 'Model Business Plan for Season Extension with Hoophouses' at http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/uploads/files/59/HoopHouseBulletin.pdf, and 'Hoophouse Contributions to Farm Profitability and Food System Sustainability: Lessons from Michigan' at http://www.joe.org/joe/2011february/tt9.php. There is also an abstract ' Determinants of Hoophouse Profitability: A Case Study of 12 Novice Michigan Farmers' available at http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/22/2/215.abstract.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-21-2012

Summary: Crops are progressing well with small fruit harvest underway, cukes close to harvest, tomato and pepper fruit developing. Tomato pith necrosis has been observed.

Join us again on June 4, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or just dial 1-866-492-6283.

Tomato pith necrosis often causes the pith to appear rotten and the external stem to have necrotic lesions.  Photo by Dan Egel.

The stems of tomato plants affected by tomato pith necrosis often appear shriveled and wrinkled. Photo by Dan Egel.

Tomato Pith Necrosis:
Tomato pith necrosis has been observed recently in a high tunnel.  This disease is caused by a bacterium.   Although observations of this disease in Indiana are infrequent, growers should scout their production for tomato pith necrosis.  Management options include avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization and high humidity.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-07-12

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-07-2012

Summary: Discussion of bramble, especially raspberry, production in high tunnels. Tomatoes and strawberries are being harvested from tunnels in S. Ohio.

Raspberries in high tunnel, photo courtesy J. Miller.

Join us again on May 21, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or dial 1-866-492-6283.

Reports:  

N. Central Illinois: Growers Supply 30x96 ClearSpan tunnel was erected with USDA grant funds in Spring 2011. Planted ‘Josephine’ red raspberries. Plants are supported with steel T posts and a double wire. Two hundred plants (2, 100-ft. rows about 7 ft. apart) produced 356 pints between Aug. 30 and Nov. 10 last year, the first harvest. Berry quality was excellent, much better than is found in grocery store. Berries could also be harvested both spring (June – mid-July) and fall.