August 24, 2006

Tour brings light to pumpkin and sweet corn production

The meeting, co-sponsored by Purdue University and the Northwest Indiana Commercial Horticulture Program, will provide information for vegetable growers, ranging from gardeners to large-scale producers. There will be a wagon tour of pumpkin and sweet corn variety plots, as well as information about tomatoes. The tour will be followed by a catered meal at 7:30 p.m.

"This is a great hands-on experience for producers to observe pumpkins, sweet corn and tomatoes before buying the seeds," said Gene Matzat, Purdue Extension educator.

In addition, many Purdue experts will be available to answer questions, said Extension specialist Liz Maynard.

"We want to give people a chance to see many varieties of pumpkins and sweet corn side by side to help them decide which to grow in the future," Maynard said. "We also hope that if people have questions about insects, disease or weed management, they can get answers from our experts."

Purdue experts and their discussion topics include:

• Frankie Lam, pest management specialist, squash beetle and pigweed flea beetles.

• Dan Egel, pest management specialist, pumpkin diseases.

• Rick Foster, entomologist, insect management in sweet corn.

• Chris Gunter, vegetable cropping systems specialist, tips on fertilizing tomatoes.

In addition to the tour, dinner will be served at the end of the evening for those registered. Participants are asked to register by Sept. 8 by contacting Maynard at (219) 785-5673 or emaynard@purdue.edu with the names and number of those attending. A registration fee of $5 per person is payable at the meeting. The fee includes snacks, beverages, dinner and program materials.

Further information regarding the program is available by contacting Maynard or by contacting Matzat at (219) 324-9407, ematzat@purdue.edu.

Writer: Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-6682, jsstewart@alumni.purdue.edu

Sources: Liz Maynard, (219) 785-5673, emaynard@purdue.edu

Gene Matzat, (219) 324-9407, ematzat@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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