Fruit and Vegetable News

Madeline Wimmer- UMN Fruit Production Extension Educator Image: University of Minnesota (UMN) researchers evaluate hundreds of apples each year to search for unique, well-performing apple varieties that match or surpass the Honeycrisp standard. Seen in this photo is David Bedford, Jack Tillman, and Sarah Kostick, UMN apple researchers and breeders; and Kate Scapanski, UMN apple researcher. With its original release in 1991, it’s been a while since the Honeycrisp apple was released and began a revival in apple consumption throughout America. The Honeycrisp apple was and still is adored for its balance of sweetness and tartnes, juiciness, and its signature crisp texture. To this day, a number of apples that are just as excellent in quality have been released by the University of Minnesota (UMN) fruit breeding program: Zestar!®, SweeTango®, First Kiss® (aka Rave®), and, most recently, Kudos®, and Triumph®. Today, the efforts to breed apples through traditional breeding methods continue fo...

During our 100 farms project, we learned that a lot of Minnesota high tunnels go unused throughout the fall and winter. Research with high tunnel farmers shows that those who use the "shoulder seasons" are the most profitable, and keeping living roots in the soil over the winter can improve soil health and moisture dynamics in tunnels. As your high tunnel crops wind down for the season, consider a few options for continuing to use your high tunnel throughout the year. Option 1: Plant a winter crop More and more growers are planting winter spinach or other winter hardy greens in unheated high tunnels. This can be a fairly low-labor crop, and a way to provide your customers with local greens at a time when fresh local food options are few and far between. If you're thinking of planting winter greens, you'll need to do so very soon. Johnnys has a great chart for helping growers decide when to plant various winter-hardy vegetables in a high tunnel to allow for winter h...