Horticulture Congress to Educate, Connect Growers

Farmers, growers and owners of agritourism businesses can gain new information in their fields and connect with other professionals at the Indiana Horticulture Congress and Trade Show in Indianapolis.

The congress, which typically draws more than 800 visitors yearly, will be held Jan. 22-24 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West, 2544 Executive Drive. The conference will feature speakers from around the state on a variety of topics in areas such as agritourism, fresh fruits and vegetables, wine grapes, organics, farmers markets and raw products. There will be luncheons, receptions, banquets, roundtables and lectures.

"Our educational sessions are designed to meet the needs of growers, with information on production practices, pest and disease control, processing, marketing, agritourism, food safety and legislative and regulatory concerns," said Peter Hirst, associate professor of horticulture at Purdue University. "The congress is also a wonderful opportunity to reacquaint with old friends and business contacts, as well as form new connections."

Coinciding with the congress is the trade show with more than 70 exhibitors from equipment, seed, processed food and irrigation companies. During the conference, attendees can participate in a cider contest by submitting two 1-gallon jugs of cider to the registration desk by noon that Wednesday, and can also bid in a silent auction to benefit the tree fruit and vegetable extension and research funds.

Certified private pesticide applicators may attend a recertification session on Wednesday or Thursday. There is a $10 fee to attend the session, and participants must know their private applicator license numbers. Additionally, licensed commercial applicators in category 1 may attend sessions for their continuing certification hours.

Early registration is due by Jan. 14 and must be accompanied by full payment in order to be processed. Fees do not include meals and will vary based on participants' membership in certain horticultural associations. Participants should visit www.inhortcongress.org to register. There will be a late fee of $20 added to the registration price for submissions after Jan. 14. Students and educators are eligible to receive free registration.

For more information, contact Tammy Goodale at 765-494-1296 or tgoodale@purdue.edu.

Purdue Experts Remind About Proper Food Handling Amid Salmonellosis Outbreak

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University food safety experts are reminding consumers to thoroughly wash and properly store all produce in the wake of a salmonellosis outbreak in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health issued an alert Friday reporting that a salmonellosis outbreak in that state may be related to cantaloupes, specifically melons grown in southwestern Indiana. The alert said an investigation is continuing into other salmonellosis cases in Kentucky that could be related to cantaloupe and watermelon consumption. At this point, there has been no confirmation that any particular grower or growers are connected to the outbreak.

 

Haley Oliver, a Purdue food microbiologist, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises washing cantaloupes under running water with a stiff brush and refrigerating the fruit within two hours of cutting.

 

"Proper refrigeration stops the growth of Salmonella and E. coli," Oliver said. "With cantaloupe, especially, you should entirely remove the rind from the fruit since that rind has crevices and is porous."

 

Oliver said all fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed, and anyone with compromised immune systems, including children or the elderly, should cook those foods.

 

"This doesn't mean that people need to stop eating melons. Proper washing of all produce minimizes risks of foodborne illnesses," Oliver said.

 

An FDA guide to selecting and safely serving fruits and vegetables can be viewed at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm114299

 

Daniel Egel, a Purdue Extension plant pathologist who specializes in vegetable pathology, said that salmonella is often transferred to food through manure. He said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that manure be applied long before crops are planted, that workers wash their hands and that produce should be thoroughly washed to prevent such incidents.

June Home, Yard, and Garden Calendar

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

Indoor plants will require more frequent watering and fertilization as they increase their summer growth.

Houseplants can be moved outdoors to a shady location, but pay close attention to their watering needs.

YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)

Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooms fade.

Apply fungicide to prevent and control black spot on roses.


GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)

Discontinue harvest of asparagus and rhubarb around mid-June to allow foliage to develop and store food reserves for next year’s harvest. Fertilize and water when dry to promote healthy growth.

Mulch to control weeds and conserve soil moisture after soil has warmed. Many materials such as straw, chopped corncobs, bark chips, shredded paper and grass clippings can be used.  <Read More>

May Home, Yard, and Garden Calendar

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

Many indoor plants can be moved to shady locations outdoors but only after danger of frost is past. Plants will dry out more often outdoors, so keep a close eye on soil moisture. Sinking the pots in soil will help slow down moisture loss.

YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)

Prune early spring-flowering trees and shrubs after flowers fade.

Plant balled-and-burlapped or container nursery stock, and water thoroughly.

GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)

Plant frost-tender plants after danger of frost is past for your area. This includes warm-season vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and vine crops, as well as most annual flowers and tender perennials, such as cannas, gladiolus, dahlias, tuberous begonias and caladiums.

Pinch chrysanthemums and annual flower plants to keep them compact and well branched. <Read More>

Assessing Freeze Damage on Fruit

Commercial and home fruit growers across the state have been assessing potential damage to their crops after last week's overnight freezing temperatures.  While a freeze/frost event this time of year is certainly not unusual, what was unusual is how far ahead of schedule fruit crops are this year compared to normal. 

To help growers better assess damage to common tree and small fruits, Purdue Extension Specialists Bruce Bordelon, Peter Hirst, and Jon Obermeyer have produced a series of videos addressing last week's freeze and the effects on apples, peaches, grapes, strawberries, and blackberries. 

The videos are available on the Purdue Extension Entomology YouTube channel.  Links to each specific video are below:

Assessing Spring Freeze Damage to Apples
Assessing Spring Freeze Damage to Peaches
Assessing Spring Freeze Damage to Grapes
Assessing Spring Freeze Damage to Strawberries
Assessing Spring Freeze Damage to Blackberries

New and Improved Home Fruit Production Guide

A valuable Purdue Extension Fruit Production resource has recently been updated and improved. 

ID-146, Managing Pests in Home Fruit Plantings, contains information on variety selection and pest management for a variety of tree and small fruits, including apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, currants and raspberries. Updates to the publication include revised chemical recommendations featuring new, safer products, organic pest management options, and the inclusion of currants and gooseberries.  

The publication is available online or at your local Purdue Extension Office.

Growing Fruits and Vegetables in Containers

If you lack adequate space for a full-fledged garden but still would still like to enjoy a few fresh fruits and vegetables this summer, container gardening may be the answer for you. Flowers are not the only plants that do well in containers. In fact, most fruits and vegetables have varieties which will do well in containers. Strawberries are the most common container fruit while tomatoes are the most common container vegetable. Lettuce, green onions, radishes, cucumbers, and peas are also popular choices.

An increasing number of varieties are developed each year that are adapted for limited space areas; everything from grafted dwarf fruit trees to bush-type cucumbers. In seed catalog descriptions, many companies specify use in containers for small-size fruits and vegetables.

Just about any container can be used to grow fruits and vegetables; from whiskey barrels and bushel baskets to clay pots and hanging baskets. The key to success is to make sure the container provides adequate drainage. Water should not be allowed to stand in the bottom of the container. To provide proper drainage, the container should have holes in the bottom to allow the water to run out. The type of soil used can also have an effect on drainage. Garden soil alone should not be used in containers because it will soon become compacted and water will not drain through it properly. Sterilized compost mixed with peat moss and vermiculite works well, as does potting soil mix. You can even use the potting soil bag as the container. Lay the bag flat and slit holes in the bottom for drainage, then turn the bag over and cut openings in the top for the plants. This technique is known as “bag-culture” or “pillow packs”.

The containers should be placed in full sun and should be protected from strong winds. A water source should be close by or the containers should be easy to move so they can be watered regularly, especially during dry spells. You may also need to use portable containers if they are to be used as porch or patio decorations or if they need to be moved to a protected area during the winter. If you have a fruit tree growing in a container, be sure to move it to a protected location in the winter. If left out, the roots will freeze and the tree will die.

Fruits and vegetables grown in containers are still susceptible to the same insects, weeds, and diseases as those grown in garden beds, so it is important to take proper measures to control them. Using a sterilized soil mixture can help avoid soil borne insects and diseases. Removing dead leaves, flowers, and over-ripe fruit will also help control these pests. Inspect the plants regularly for insects and pick them off as you notice them. If the infestation becomes large, it may be necessary to use a pesticide to control them, making sure the chemical is labeled for use on all the plants in the container.  

Weeds are not as much of a problem in container gardens but they can quickly take over if not properly controlled. The best way to control weeds in the container is to make sure the soil in the container does not have weed seeds in it. Potting soil or peat moss generally will not have weed problems but if your soil mixture contains compost or garden soil, these materials should be taken from areas that are not weed infested. If you do find weeds growing in your containers, carefully pull them while they are small. Larger weeds should be cut out so as not to damage the surrounding desirable plants. Herbicide use is not practical for container gardens.

Additional information on container gardening can be found in Purdue Extension publication HO-200, available here.