VegNet Vol. 13, No. 4. April 7, 2006
Ohio State University Extension Vegetable Crops
On the WEB at:  http://vegnet.osu.edu
If experiencing problems receiving this fax, Call 614-292-3857

In This Issue
1. Grower Input Needed! IPM Surveys Nearing End!

2. Crop Reports

Grower Input Needed! IPM Surveys Nearing End!
For the past month there have been several mentions in the VegNet newsletter of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) surveys developed for Ohio pepper and pumpkin growers.  To date we have had 6 pepper growers and 9 pumpkin growers respond to the survey.  This is a good start but not nearly enough input!  These surveys take only 10-15 minutes to complete and will help guide future research and Extension efforts in these crops. Here is your chance to tell us what practices you currently use and what issues you would like to see addressed. 

We will even reward you for completing the survey by entering your name in a drawing for an Ohio State University sweat shirt or Vegetable Production Guide, your choice.  To qualify for the drawing, the survey needs to be completed by April 15th, 2006.

Visit http://glvwg.ag.ohio-state.edu/Surveys.php and click on either pumpkins or peppers in the chart under Ohio.  It's that simple.  But hurry, you only have until April 15th to take the survey before it's closed for the summer.  Any questions about the survey can be directed to Jim Jasinski, jasinski.4@osu.edu or 937-484-1526.  Thanks again for your help!

Southern Ohio Crop Report- by Brad Bergefurd, From March 31,2006

Tomatoes and Sweet Corn planted

This week March 27 - 31 the first sweet corn was planted down along the Ohio River, by Cincinnati and Marietta. In the Hillsboro area growers planted sweet corn under plastic.  Seeding of melons and watermelon in the greenhouse began the week of March 20. The first high tunnel tomatoes were planted in the ground the week of March 13 with a majority of the tunnel tomatoes planted the week of March 20. These early planted tomatoes are looking very good and the first stringing has been done. Temperatures in the tunnels were reaching 90 degrees under the sunny conditions of this week, requiring roll up sides to be opened. No disease or insect pressures to speak of, in the field or in the greenhouses or tunnels at this time. Some plasticulture strawberries, Camerosa variety, have begun to bloom on a Chillicothe farm. Row covers have been removed on most plasticulture strawberry fields. Plasticulture strawberry fields are again this year experiencing injury from mice and vole feeding throughout the winter months. One grower in Morgan county had 90% of his crop injured and another grower has reported 10% injury in his 2 acre field.

Growers continue to apply Anhydrous to Corn ground, spreading dry fertilizer, chisel and moldboard plowing, working ground, equipment maintenance, seeding and caring for transplants in the greenhouse.