The climate in Kansas presents challenges to growing and supplying produce during much of the year. However, season extension activities (SEAs) can help those growing local produce overcome challenges and extend the growing season. Season extension activities range from common agricultural practices, such as selecting cold-weather hearty
Introduction Regular pruning is an essential component of blueberry management, yet its importance is often misunderstood because the costs to the neglectful grower are not immediate. Pruning is required to maintain the vigor and productivity of bushes, to aid in disease and insect management, to maintain large
Ultra-Niche Crops are defined as exceptionally high-value crops that can provide a significant source of income to the farmer while using minimal land area. Winter lettuce is a crop that is seeded or transplanted in a high tunnel or other protected structure after the traditional planting season.
A Resource for High Tunnel Berry Growers Berry growers in the Upper Midwest and Northeast can access information specific to growing berries in tunnels at the TunnelBerries website: www.TunnelBerries.org. TunnelBerries is a seven-state research and extension project designed to provide growers with the knowledge needed to expand raspberry,
Vegetable grafting includes three stages: a) preparation, b) splicing or cleft grafting and c) healing/acclimation. Failure to produce a healthy grafted plant can be traced to an error at any stage. Moreover, the second stage (splicing/cleft grafting) is the most quickly completed since (experienced hand-grafters can complete the
High tunnel (hoop house) production of vegetables has become quite common in Kansas. The high tunnels protect crops from Kansas harsh environmental conditions such as wind and storm damage. In addition to protection, determinate tomato crop requirements (planting date, soil temperature, crop height, etc), high tunnels provide
Introduction High tunnel (hoop house) production of vegetables has become quite common in Kansas. High tunnels protect crops from harsh environmental conditions that can lead to wind and storm damage. In addition, high tunnels provide an excellent system for hybrid bell pepper production in regards to planting
About the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide The Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide 2017 was developed by the Midwest Fruit Workers Group. This publication combines two longtime guides that have become familiar to countless growers: the annual Midwest Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide and the annual
Growing Under Cover 2 is here!! Written by Tom Buller, Kansas Rural Center; Dr. Cary Rivard, Kansas State University, Fruit and Vegetable Extension Specialist; and Kim Oxley, Research Extension Associate, Kansas State University, Growing Under Cover: A Kansas Grower’s Guide, provides success stories from Kansas farmers who use
Spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) is an important pest of berries, cherries, and some thin-skinned grape varieties. The berry crops at greatest risk are raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries. For many berry and small fruit growers, SWD has rapidly become their most critical insect pest. SWD is native
