What's Killing My Kale?

In Season 3, episode 13 of "What's Killing My Kale," Annie talked with Seth Wannmeuhler, a graduate research assistant at University of Minnesota, about kiwiberries. Seth has become an expert on kiwiberries through is research the last several years in which he seeks to develop a new hardy kiwiberry variety that produces well in Minnesota. In addition to his breeding work, he is also helping in the development of management recommendations for this crop, and studying the market potential of kiwiberries in Minnesota farmers' markets.  This episode discusses this work, the differences in the 2 species of kiwiberries grown in Minnesota, and recommended management practices. Click here to listen to the episode. You can also listen to this and all of our past episodes on Apple Podcasts and UMN FruitEdge. Author: Annie Klodd, Extension Educator - Fruit and Vegetable Production

In Season 3 Episode 12 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with Inga Meadows, Extension plant pathologist at NC State University, about disease management in organic tomatoes.  It's nearly impossible to avoid disease issues in tomatoes, but there are ways to preventatively manage them, even in organic systems. In this episode, Natalie and Inga discussed:  Biological control options for preventative disease management OMRI approved sprays like copper, how well they work for different diseases, and precautions growers should take when using them Timing of spray programs - how can growers know how often to spray, and what to spray Best preventative practices for tomato diseases in addition to biological and chemical control Click here to download and listen to the episode directly. You can also listen to all of our episodes on Apple Podcasts. Please leave on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

In Season 3 Episode 10 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with Dr. Brent Loy, emeritus professor of plant genetics and cucurbit breeder extraordinaire at the University of New Hampshire.  Every year we hear about fruiting in flowering issues in cucurbit crops towards the middle of the summer. Many of the strategies to prevent this from happening should be implemented now, when you're transplanting. In this episode we discussed: Why we so often see flower abortion, small fruit, and oddly shaped fruits, particularly in summer squash and zucchini The biology of male and female flowers in various types of cucurbits (and why it matters) The role that variety selection plays Best practices for nutrient management and spacing in cucurbits Click here to download and listen to the episode directly. You can also listen to all of our episodes on Apple Podcasts. Please leave on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

In Season 3, episode 9 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked to Dr. Paulo Pagliari, an associate professor of soil science at the University of Minnesota, about nutrient management in wet soils.  Though this spring has been relatively dry, our climate is becoming wetter overall, and we may still see heavy rainfall and flooding this season. In preparation, we interviewed Paulo to learn about best practices. Much of the information in this episode is also relevant for normal conditions in addition to flooding conditions. In this episode we discussed: Image: Anne Sawyer Best practices for split applications and when to apply different fertilizer sources How to respond if you suspect that a heavy rainfall or flooding event resulted in nitrogen leaching Foliar testing Best practices for manure applications to prevent leaching How to adapt your nutrient management practices in reduced tillage systems Click here to download and listen to the episode directly. You can also listen to all of our episodes on Apple Podcasts.

In Season 3, episode 8 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked to Local Extension Educators Claire LaCanne (Rice & Steele Counties) and Shane Bugeja (Le Sueur and Blue Earth Counties) about their recent trials to measure soil biological activity.  Photo: Claire LaCanne With increasing interest in soil health over the years, at-home trials such as the soiled undies test and the tea bag test have become increasingly common. But do they work? Claire and Shane conducted trials to compare these common at-home tests to more sophisticated lab tests of soil biological activity.  In this episode we discussed: How to conduct these tests, and whether they work How soil biological activity relates to other aspects of soil health such Situations in which these types of test might be appropriate Click here to download and listen to the episode directly. You can also listen to all of our episodes on Apple Podcasts.