Pests and beneficials can sometimes act differently in greenhouses versus the field. So, this week we’re talking with Professor Laura Ingwell from Purdue University and Professor Samantha Willden from Cornell University about IPM for common greenhouse pests, including where and when they are likely to arrive. They tell us about a study they did on 36 farms over 2 years, and how conditions on those farms affected the insect populations.

We talk about whether high tunnels are protection from or for pests, and how to design environments that are less conducive to them. We discuss the differences between using beneficials versus sprays, some guidelines for when to do each, and which beneficials to use against which pests. They recently wrapped up a biocontrol research project, but since the details haven’t all been published yet we couldn’t get into the nitty gritty on that one so maybe there will be a sequel to this interview!

Connect with guest:

Website: Laura Ingwell, Purdue University

Samantha Willden, Cornell University

Instagram: @willden.cea.lab

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

Farmhand is the all-in-one platform built for direct-market farms — CSA, farmers market, and farmstand growers who'd rather be in the field than juggling five different apps. Online store and subscriptions, delivery and pickup routing, SMS and email marketing, waitlist management, and now farm events: sell tickets to u-picks, tours, dinners, and workshops in minutes, with capacity caps, QR check-in, and SMS/email confirmations built in. Every ticket also puts a name, email, and phone on a list you keep. See how farmers are growing direct-to-consumer sales and set up a free account at farmhand.partners/gfm

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

Radicchio has long been a favorite with market farmers for its ability to provide something colorful and delicious in the fall and winter. But with its adaptation to very specific regions of Italy, figuring out how to grow the vegetable in North America has been a bit of a puzzle. Luckily, Lane Selman puts that puzzle together for us with her new book Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable!

At almost 400 pages long, the book is fascinating and covers the history of radicchio, the project to find timing and varieties that grow well in North America, and many recipes for how to cook it. Lane and her work with the Culinary Breeding Network has been instrumental in working with Italian seed companies to find and develop varieties that work for growers on this continent. So, listen to this interview and then check out the book! As always, Growing for Market subscribers get 20% off all books when logged in at the website!

Connect with guest:

The book: Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable

Website: Culinary Breeding Network

Instagram: @culinarybreedingnetwork

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Farmhand is the all-in-one platform built for direct-market farms — CSA, farmers market, and farmstand growers who'd rather be in the field than juggling five different apps. Online store and subscriptions, delivery and pickup routing, SMS and email marketing, waitlist management, and now farm events: sell tickets to u-picks, tours, dinners, and workshops in minutes, with capacity caps, QR check-in, and SMS/email confirmations built in. Every ticket also puts a name, email, and phone on a list you keep. See how farmers are growing direct-to-consumer sales and set up a free account at farmhand.partners/gfm

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!