Authors: Natalie Hoidal & Marissa Schuh We’re starting a new series this spring: a biweekly crop by crop overview to help growers choose varieties, navigate different growing methods, and anticipate insects and diseases. Last year some of you said that while the summer vegetable updates were helpful, you wanted more time to anticipate problems and prevent them. So, in each newsletter for the next couple of months, we’ll be highlighting one vegetable crop. While the growing season is still a few months away, now is the time to plan and order supplies. Read on for information about varieties, trellising systems, insects, and a common cucumber pathogen. Navigating varietal terminology There are so many cucumbers available to growers, and so much variation in performance, cost, and management between varieties. While we will not discuss specific varieties here, it’s important to understand the reproductive biology of the varieties you choose. There cucumbers available today have thre
The Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, UMN Extension, and SeedLinked received a 2021-2022 grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to screen broccoli varieties for tolerance to black rot and Alternaria. Join us for a discussion on February 8th to learn about our upcoming trial, hear about which varieties we'll be including and why, and join our 2021 on-farm broccoli trial network. This virtual discussion will occur via Zoom on February 8th from 7-8pm. Sign up at z.umn.edu/broccolimeetup Image: David Monniaux , Wikimedia