Strawberry Chat: Recent Episodes
Wenjing Guan and Miranda Purcell
Strawberry Chat is a virtual discussion about strawberry production at small and diversified farms in Indiana and neighboring states. Drs. Wenjing Guan and Miranda Purcell from Purdue University are the program's hosts. Our discussions focus on activities that happen at the time of the year and cover different production systems. If you are interested in joining the Strawberry Chat email list and receiving the podcast update, please email us at Wenjing (guan40@purdue.edu) or Miranda (mrpurcel@purdue.edu).
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Marvin Pritts from Cornell University. We discuss the new edition of the Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada. Dr. Marvin introduces us to the plasticulture day-neutral strawberry product system he has been researching recently. He also shares his research and thoughts on nutrient management, winter protection, fruit quality, and pollination. Dr. Marvin did most of the research at USDA Hardiness Zone 5b.
The next two episodes are interviews with two small-scale, diversified urban farms using organic practices. The farmers participated in on-farm trials with Wenjing on the project ‘Enhance Strawberry Production in North Central Region through Tunnel-based Systems’ supported by North-Central SARE. Both the farmers are new to growing strawberries, and they grow the crops in caterpillar tunnels. They shared their experience and thought about growing strawberries. This interview is with David Robb, owner of Eden Prairie Farm in Eden, IN, close to Indianapolis.
The next two episodes are interviews with two small-scale, diversified urban farms. The farmers participated in on-farm trials with Wenjing on the project ‘Enhance Strawberry Production in North Central Region through Tunnel-based Systems’ supported by North-Central SARE. Both the farmers are new to growing strawberries, and they grow the crops in caterpillar tunnels. They shared their experience and thought of growing strawberries and their plans for the future. This interview is with Nic and Marie, owners of the Outlier Farm in Bloomington, IN.
Strawberries are traditionally grown with a matted-row system in Indiana. Plasticulture is relatively new. Whether and how farmers in our region adopt this new system? What are the challenges and opportunities? In a series of episodes, you will hear interviews with farmers growing strawberries in plasticulture in Indiana. This episode is with Richard Ritter. Richard runs a 20-acre diversified vegetable farm in southwest Indiana. His primary market is a farm stand.
Strawberries are traditionally grown with a matted-row system in Indiana. Plasticulture is relatively new. Whether and how farmers in our region adopt this new system? What are the challenges and opportunities? In a series of episodes, you will hear interviews with farmers growing strawberries in plasticulture in Indiana. This episode is with Calvin Beasley at Beasley's Orchard. Beasley's Orchard, located west of Indianapolis, is a diversified fruit and vegetable farm. Its primary business is in agritourism and U-pick.
Kevin Schooley and Stephen Meyers joined the discussion to talk about weeds and weed management in matted-row and plasticulture strawberry production. Steve spoke about weeds commonly seen in strawberry fields and gave us a broad overview of the different types of herbicides. Kevin shared years of practical knowledge in controlling weeds using herbicides at the different crop stages. Steve and Kevin also discussed options for weed control using non-chemical approaches. Here is the supplier of the tool Kevin mentioned in the discussion.
Dr. Janna Beckerman joined our discussion to talk about Spring Diseases and Management. Our discussion focused on Anthracnose fruit rot and Botrytis fruit rot. Janna described the biology of the pathogens and provided cultural and fungicide recommendations for managing these diseases. Access presentation slides here. The fungicide recommendations can be found at Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide. Additional recommendations can be found at Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide
In this episode, you will learn about the opportunities and limitations of high tunnel in-ground production system; major disease and insect pest concerns, and management options. Invited guests are Dr. Laura Ingwell, Entomology Extension Specialist from Purdue University, and Dr. Dan Egel, Extension Plant Pathologist from Purdue University. We appreciate your feedback about the program. If you have suggestions to help us improve the program, please enter it here
In this episode, you will learn the basics of substrate production and hear about two substrate strawberry production systems. Dr. Chieri Kubota and Mark Kroggel from The Ohio State University talk about root zone management in substrate production and introduce the greenhouse system. You can learn more about these topics on the Hydroponics website that Dr. Kubota shared in this episode. Richard Barnes is the owner of Tanglewood Berry Farm in Fort Wayne, IN. Richard discusses how Tanglewood Berry Farm grows strawberries in an elevated system with a lower level of environmental controls.
This episode is about plasticulture strawberry production. Our special guests are Brad Bergefurd, former Horticulture Specialist at The Ohio State University, Calvin Beasley from Beasley Orchard in Danville, IN, and Danny Vanmeter from Vanmeter Family Farm in Clarkston, KY. We discussed many important topics in plasticulture strawberry production, including site selection, beds, plastic mulch, fertility management, crop rotation, winter protection, cultivar selection, and more. Enjoy the episode.
We discussed insect pests and weed control during renovation in this episode. Our special guests are Drs. Stephen Meyers, Samantha Willden, and Mr. David Doud. Steve and Sam are researchers from Purdue. Steve is the weed scientist in the Horticulture department; Sam is a postdoc researcher in the entomology department. David is the owner of David Doud's Countyline Orchard in Wabash, IN, and has over 30 years of experience in growing strawberries in a matted row system. You will hear researchers' and growers' opinions on the important topics. Enjoy the episode.
This episode features Anya Osatuke and Adrienne Held. Anya is a berry specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Anya discussed her research on factors affecting strawberry quality. Adrienne is the owner of Holly Berry Farm in Santa Claus, Indiana. Adrienne shared her experience and what she has learned to run a small-scale, diversified farming business with strawberries.
This episode focuses on Spring Disease Management and Freeze/Frost Guidance featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman, Plant Pathologist at Purdue University and Austin Pearson, a Climatologist from the Midwest Regional Climate Center. We discuss The Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) (https://newa.cornell.edu/strawberry-diseases/), which is a weather-based tool for strawberry disease monitoring and the Midwest Regional Climate Center (MRCC) website (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/). This program is hosted by Dr. Wenjing Guan and Miranda Purcell of Purdue University
This episode features Dr. Bruce Bordelon who recently retired from Purdue University with 30+ years of experience with small fruits. Dr. Bruce Bordelon talked about spring activities for growing strawberries in matted-row system.
We discussed basic strawberry plant physiology, production systems, and critical issues to be assessed to decide if strawberry production is a good fit for your small and diversified farm. Drs. Wenjing Guan and Miranda Purcell are hosts of the program.