WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Vegetable growers and master gardeners can tour plots by wagon and compare different varieties of pumpkins and sweet corn at the Sept. 9 twilight meeting in Wanatah, Ind., at the Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center.
The pumpkin variety on the left shows signs of severe powdery mildew infestation while the variety on the right shows much less disease. (Purdue University photo/Liz Maynard)
“We have done some different things with our plots this year,” said Liz Maynard, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service vegetable crops specialist. “This is the first year we have sprayed for powdery mildew in only half the pumpkin plots, so growers can see a difference.”
During the wagon tours, Rick Foster, Purdue Extension vegetable and fruit crops pest management specialist, will discuss insect management in sweet corn and give an update on corn earworm. Dan Egel, Purdue Extension plant pathologist, will point out various diseases in the fields, and participants will have the chance to see symptoms and ask questions. Maynard will highlight the different varieties in plots and discuss production methods and weed management strategies.
Registration is due by Sept. 2 and costs $5, which can be paid at the door and includes dinner. If the weather permits and the sweet corn is ready for harvest, participants will be able to taste some of the different varieties from the plots at dinner. Those interested can register by contacting Maynard at (219) 785-5674, emaynard@purdue.edu. Registration for those wanting to receive private pesticide applicator recertification credit (PARP) is $15.
Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center is located at 11402 S. County Line Road. More information is available online at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/events/PumpkinTwiliteTour08.pdf. For additional questions, contact Maynard.
The meeting is sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Northwest Indiana Commercial Horticulture Program, a part of Purdue’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
