“Our next project is in the works at Dixon Springs Ag Center!
We are in the process of removing all of the plants from one of our tunnels in preparation for the start of our next funded grant project, ‘Strategies for Improving Biological Control of Insect Pests for Vegetable Growers Utilizing High Tunnels.’ Within this tunnel, we will be planting cover crops by October 1, and they will overwinter with termination planned for the first part of March. Tomatoes, peppers and cut flowers will be planted into the tunnel around the first week of April.
Our other in-ground raised bed high tunnel will serve as a control, and no cover crops or cut flowers will be planted into it, just tomatoes and peppers. This will be a two year project, working with Dr. Athey, and will involve insect monitoring, sampling, analyzing, and releasing. Look for continued information on this project in the coming months.”
Excerpt by Bronwyn Aly from Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News Newsletter Vol. 28, No. 9 | September 2022