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 managementOMRI approved sprays like copper, how well they work for different diseases, and precautions growers should take when using themTiming of spray programs - how can growers know how often to spray, and what to sprayBest preventative practices for tomato diseases in addition to biological and chemical controlClick 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 zucchiniThe biology of male and female flowers in various types of cucurbits (and why it matters)The role that variety selection playsBest practices for nutrient management and spacing in cucurbitsClick 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 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 LaCanneWith 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 workHow soil biological activity relates to other aspects of soil health suchSituations in which these types of test might be appropriateClick 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 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 SawyerBest practices for split applications and when to apply different fertilizer sourcesHow to respond if you suspect that a heavy rainfall or flooding event resulted in nitrogen leachingFoliar testingBest practices for manure applications to prevent leachingHow to adapt your nutrient management practices in reduced tillage systemsClick here to download and listen to the episode directly. You can also listen to all of our episodes on&n

Spotted wing Drosophila on a raspberry. Photo: Charlie Rohwer, UMNIn Season 3 Episode 6 of What's Killing My Kale, Annie talked with Dr. Mary Rogers, an Assistant Professor studying organic food production systems in the Department of Horticulture. They discussed recent research findings from Dr. Rogers team, as well as other farms and researchers around the country, about the best ways to manage spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) organically. You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and FruitEdge. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

Spotted wing drosophila damage on tart cherry. Photo: Annie KloddIn Season 3 Episode 5 of What's Killing My Kale, Annie talked with Gigi Digiacomo, a research fellow in the Department of Applied Economics. They discussed Digiacomo's recent findings about how spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) has impacted the Minnesota berry industry, and weighed the economics of SWD management strategies. You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and FruitEdge. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review 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 4 of What's Killing My Kale, Annie talked with Aaron Wills from Little Hill Berry Farm. They discussed how climate change is impacting fruit production, and strategies for adaptation. This is the fourth and final episode in a mini series about how climate change is impacting our ability to grow fruits and vegetables in MN.You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and FruitEdge. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

We are back with another season of What's Killing My Kale!In Season 3 Episode 2, Annie talked with farmer Laura Frerichs from Loon Organics farm about how climate change is affecting their ability to grow vegetables, and adaptation strategies. This is the second episode in a mini series about how climate change is impacting our ability to grow fruits and vegetables in MN.You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and FruitEdge. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review 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 3 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with Erin Johnson and Ben Doherty from Open Hands Farm. They discussed the ways that they have noticed the impacts of climate change on their farm, and strategies they're using for adaptation. This is the third episode in a mini series about how climate change is impacting our ability to grow fruits and vegetables in MN.You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and FruitEdge. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

We are back with another season of What's Killing My Kale!In Season 3 Episode 1, Natalie talked with Kenny Blumenfeld, Senior Climatologist with the DNR about how our climate has changed over the last 100 years, and projections for the future. This is the first episode in a mini series about how climate change is impacting our ability to grow fruits and vegetables in MN, and adaptation strategies.You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and FruitEdge. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

Author: Natalie Hoidal. Interviewee: Yolanda ChenIn episode 26 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with Dr. Yolanda Chen, a professor at the University of Vermont. Yolanda has been studying Swede Midge on the East coast, where it has been a devastating disease of cole crops. In particular, her research has focused on organic management strategies. In part 1 of this episode, we interviewed Angie Ambourn, supervisor of the MDA's pest detection unit, about recent Swede Midge sightings in Minnesota. We anticipate that this insect pest may move beyond community gardens to vegetable farms in the near future, so it's important for growers to be on the lookout, and to have some background in current research and management strategies. Listen to part 1 here.  You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on iTunes. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are

Author: Natalie Hoidal. Interviewees: Julie Weisenhorn and Nathan HechtIn episode 25 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with Extension Educator Julie Weisenhorn, and recently graduated horticulture master's student Nathan Hecht. Both Julie and Nathan have been studying how flowering plants near fruit and vegetable plots impact pollination and fruit set. While we generally know that adding flowering plants to the landscape is good for pollinators and beneficial insects, we wanted to dig deeper and learn how much of an impact flowering plants can have, how to go about selecting the proper plants, and how the broader landscape impacts results. This is a longer episode, but it's packed with insight and good discussion. You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on iTunes. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episo

Author: Natalie Hoidal. Interviewee: Angie AmbournIn episode 26 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with Angie Ambourn, supervisor of the MDA's pest detection unit. Angie's team has been studying emerging insects and diseases in community gardens across Minnesota, and they've recently detected Swede Midge in gardens across the Twin Cities. Swede Midge is an important pest of cole crops on the East Cost, and while has not yet caused economic damage on Minnesota farms, it's important for producers to keep an eye out and anticipate this insect pest in the years to come. In part 2 of this episode, we interviewed Yolanda Chen from the University of Vermont about management strategies for organic farms. You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on iTunes. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

Author: Natalie Hoidal. Interviewee: John Loegering. In episode 24 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with wildlife biologist John Loegering about vertebrate pest management. They discussed a four pillar IPM approach to wildlife management both in packshed areas and in fields, and talked about balancing the competing interests of supporting wildlife habitat while keeping animals out of the field. John made a short list of resources for those interested in learning more, which can be found here. You can listen to and download the episode here. What's Killing my Kale is also available on iTunes.

Author: Natalie Hoidal, Interviewee: Anthony HansonIn episode 23 of our fruit and vegetable podcast What's Killing My Kale? we talked to Anthony Hanson, an Extension post-doc who has been creating degree day maps for various insect pests in Minnesota. Anthony explained how fruit and vegetable growers can use these maps to help make pest management decisions. Click here to listen to the episode. You can listen to it now, or download it to listen later. Degree day maps for various MN insect pests can be found on VedEdge. You can find all previous episodes on FruitEdge.What's Killing My Kale? is a podcast production of the University of Minnesota Extension, sponsored in part by the University of Minnesota Integrated Pest Management program. Co-hosted by Extension Educators Annie Klodd and Natalie Hoidal, the podcast focuses on innovative and timely pest management topics in fruits and vegetables, and sometimes ventures into other timely issues as well. Author: Natalie

For our September series of "What's Killing My Kale?", we caught up with some of our Extension IPM experts to discuss the main 2018 growing season pest pressures and how to prepare for 2019. In this episode, we discuss weeds with Annie Klodd.You can listen to the podcast here or on iTunes.

In episode 18 of our fruit and vegetable podcast What's Killing My Kale? we talked to Linda Chalker-Scott, a horticulturalist with Washington State University. The internet lays many claims about the benefits of numerous "alternative" or "natural" remedies for pest management and plant health. How do we know which methods are backed up by science, and which are not? In this episode, Linda lays out ways growers can determine if claims about natural products are accurate and effective. We use epsom salts and compost tea as two examples.This episode is being re-posted from December 2018. We are still getting the hang of posting correctly so that our podcasts are compatible with other forums; this should fix our feed so that all of our episodes end up on iTunes and Stitcher!Click here to listen to the episode. You can listen to it now, or download it to listen later. You can find all previous (2018) episodes on FruitEdge.What's Killing My Kale? is a podcast production of th

In episode 17 of our fruit and vegetable podcast What's Killing My Kale? Annie and Natalie discuss pesticides labeled for use in organic systems. In this episode, Natalie discusses the importance of thinking about pesticide safety on all fruit and vegetable farms, including organic farms with organic pesticide products. She also lays out the results of the fruit and vegetable pesticide use survey that was distributed by UMN Extension to fruit and vegetable growers throughout 2018.This episode is being re-posted from December 2018. We are still getting the hang of posting correctly so that our podcasts are compatible with other forums; this should fix our feed so that all of our episodes end up on iTunes and Stitcher!Click here to listen to the episode. You can listen to it now, or download it to listen later. You can find all previous (2018) episodes on FruitEdge.What's Killing My Kale? is a podcast production of the University of Minnesota Extension, sponsored in part by th

Author: Annie Klodd. Any farmers applying compost, manure, or straw should keep in mind that while these inputs have many benefits for vegetable production, they can also be modes of spread for weed seeds. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the amount of weed seeds that appear in compost and manure and then end up on the field.Photo: Chryseis ModdermanEpisode 16: Manure, Compost, and Weeds.This month on "What's Killing My Kale?" (our fruit & vegetable pest management podcast) we had a fascinating discussion about this with Chryseis Modderman, UMN Extension Educator for manure management. Among other things, we talked about best practices for applying compost and manure on vegetable fields, and how it is that weed seeds and diseases can travel all the way from the pasture, through the animal, and onto the vegetable field. We then discussed practices that growers can adopt to minimize the risk of bringing in new weed infestations via manure and compost.Click here to listen to the podcast, Episode