isptech Steve Bogash, Vegetable Crop Advisor Producing fully colored bell peppers in the field can be a challenge due to diseases aggravated by weather conditions. Weather often causes fruit rots just as the peppers begin to reach full color. The simple practice of growing peppers in a high tunnel is often enough to “flip the script”, … Read more
Gary Shafer, Research Director We’ve discussed soil compaction, poor drainage, and the negative effects of excess water for several decades. Several of the ISP products have very positive effects upon all of these potentially serious situations. These include MetaboliK HV-1, Phytogro Xtra, Pow’rPak, ReStore 3g, and even to a lesser extent MetaboliK SB. We used … Read more
There’s a number of greenhouses that have already been planted, with some getting close to picking the first tomatoes of the season. As Steve Bogash’s wife, Roberta says, there are only two seasons of the year… “tomato season, and waiting for tomato season.” With that in mind we are getting very close to TOMATO SEASON! … Read more
By Gary Shafer Albert Einstein stated, “Once you stop learning, you start dying”.. That being the case, then we’re pleased to announce that we are still very much alive! This coming season we have a variety of projects that will aid in solidifying our position as a premier source for agricultural and horticultural information. We’ve … Read more
Steve Bogash and Gary Shafer Managing soil nutrient levels is the first step in creating an abundance of high quality produce or crops. The first step in this process is pre-plant soil testing nutrients followed by the application of nutrients based on the test results. Many fertilizer outlets or consultants offer soil sampling services, and … Read more
Does it really make a difference? While black plastic mulch is the overwhelming choice of growers, there are many color options that can impact crop yield and quality that are worthy of consideration. Many of the recommendations in the article that follows are from work done at the Penn State Rock Springs Research Farm in … Read more
One consistent theme over the past several years has been the specter of dealing with bacterial diseases in our tomato fields and high tunnels. Bacterial speck, spot, and canker have become regular challenges for tomato growers. In spite of these challenges, it is possible to grow profitable tomato crops even with these challenges hanging over … Read more
Every spring brings the bursting forth of renewal – dormant life awakens, the dreams of vitality and fecundity now “springing” into a riot of activity. We producers of life, the nurturers of soil and its ability to sustain growth, look forward in the gray winter months to once again begin our work of tilling the … Read more