Mild Weather Early Signs of Spring

It's not unusual for Indiana weather to have trouble deciding what season it is. Recent warm spells have had many gardeners wondering what to do about bulbs, and perhaps a few plants that are poking their foliage through the soil. Just what should gardeners do about daffodils, dianthus and daylilies poking out of the ground?

The good news is that no action is required. We're used to seeing this happen in late winter during a February warm spell. The plants will survive just fine.

The longer the mild weather stays around, the more potential there is for damage when below-freezing temperatures return. Foliage that has popped up may be killed back, but the bulbs and storage roots should remain undamaged underground. As the plants completely push out in spring, damaged foliage will appear brown, giving plants a raggedy appearance. But the plants themselves will survive.

Flower buds on spring-flowering trees and shrubs are also starting to plump up, but should be fine so far. As buds progress in their development, they become more susceptible to freeze damage. And, spring is still over a month away, leaving plenty of opportunity for fluctuating temperatures. There isn't much we can do about the weather except to sit back and wait to see what Mother Nature has in store for us!

Invasive Species Awareness Week: February 27-March 3

As we enter Invasive Species Awareness week, it is important to remember that early detection is the best way to slow the spread of invasive species. The early detection of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) by concerned citizens in 1996, and subsequent involvement by community members, has resulted in the containment or eradication of ALB in four states. Continued public involvement will help us protect Indiana trees in the future.

You can report invasive species by calling the Invasive Species hotline at 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684) or using the free Great Lakes Early Detection Network smartphone app, which can be downloaded on iTunes or GooglePlay. Purdue has put together a YouTube video to demonstrate how easily the app can be used to alert authorities:

If you’re interested in learning more about invasive pests and how to report them, sign up for one of our free Early Detector Training workshops!

The workshops will be held on July 11th in Bloomington, July 12th in Aurora, and July 13th in Nashville. You’ll learn about invasive species such as the emerald ash borer, the Asian longhorned beetle, thousand cankers disease, and the hemlock wooly adelgid, their hosts, and how to use the Great Lakes Early Detection Network app to report them.

Hop Production in Indiana - Small Farm Conf. Workshop

Registration information can be found here.   

New Video: Tree Pruning Essentials

Pruning has been called "one of the best, worst maintenance practices" performed on trees. The process creates wounds, which have a major impact on plant processes. Improper cutting on a tree causes severe damage or even death.  Click below to see the full video with tips on proper tree care with Lindsey Purcell, Purdue Specialist in Urban Forestry.

2017 Indiana Small Farm Conference - Registration Awards Available

The Purdue Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project is providing (10) registration fees to the 2017 Indiana Small Farm Conference for farmers who are beginning (less than 10 years of farming), farm in Indiana, and are willing to participate in the three day workshop/conference at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds, Danville, Indiana from March 2-4, 2017. 

The award only covers registration fees (which includes lunch on all three days). Mileage and hotels costs are not included, nor any other food costs. Potential attendees need to apply by filling out this online survey before January 31^st. Those being awarded a registration fee will be notified the first week of February.

Good luck! 

2017 Small Farm Conference - March 2-4th

Registration is open for the 5th Annual Indiana Small Farm Conference scheduled for March 2-4, 2017 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex, Danville, Indiana.

Deep dive into a full day workshop on Thursday, March 2:

• Hops Production in Indiana
• Beginning Farmer Workshop: Starting a Small Farm in Indiana
• On-Farm Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Growers (Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training)
• Indianapolis Urban Agriculture Tour

On Friday and Saturday, the conference features concurrent sessions on topics ranging from vegetable and livestock production to farm management and marketing. The trade show is open Friday and Saturday for you to network and interact with farm supply and services businesses, non-profit organizations, state agencies, and more. Sit down with experts during consulting corner sessions, check out a trade show demonstration, and catch a screening of The Market Gardener’s Toolkit.

The Friday keynote speaker is Eliot Coleman, farmer at Four Season Farm and author of The New Organic Grower, Four Season Harvest, and The Winter Harvest Handbook. Eliot has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of organic farming, including field vegetables, greenhouse vegetables, rotational grazing of cattle and sheep, and range poultry.

On Saturday, the keynote speaker is Blaine Hitzfield, farmer at Seven Sons Family Farms. Blaine is the second son in the family farm operation and manages the marketing and distribution of their farm products. He will discuss the family and operations team for the farm and how they have been successful at direct sales and regional distribution.

Preview the full conference agenda, which will be updated as additional speakers and details are confirmed.  Visit the registration site for more conference details and to register today!

Seed Collecting for Monarchs!

The Pollinator Partnership and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have joined forces to launch the Monarch Wings Across the Eastern Broadleaf Forest Project and they need your help! The Project is seed collecting throughout the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas and Missouri.

They have put a call out for enthusiastic seed collecting volunteers in all 5 states to help identify and collect milkweed and other common nectar plants. As a seed collecting volunteer you will be provided with training and be making valuable contributions to supporting migrating monarchs.

No seed collecting experience is required but basic plant knowledge is preferred.  Training and seed collection will start in 2017, but you can get on the list now.  To sign-up as a seed collector please e-mail Amber Barnes will your name, city, state, and preferred email address.  You will be added to their volunteer contact list and more information will follow soon.