By Scout Nelson
Minnesota farmers are navigating a difficult growing season marked by extreme heat, high humidity, heavy rainfall, flooding, drought, and rising disease pressure. Growers are being encouraged to prioritize heat safety, stay hydrated, and closely monitor crops to maintain yield and quality.
Proper postharvest handling is especially important during hot weather. Harvesting produce early in the morning and moving it quickly into shaded or refrigerated storage can help preserve freshness and extend shelf life. Rapid cooling after harvest remains one of the most effective ways to maintain product quality.
Some crops, such as tomatoes, apples, melons, and plums, continue to ripen after harvest and can be picked slightly earlier to extend storage life. Most vegetables, however, should be harvested at peak maturity and cooled promptly to preserve freshness.
Hydrocooling is recommended for leafy greens, including kale, collards, and Swiss chard. Immersing harvested greens in cold water helps remove field heat, improve moisture retention, and extend storage life while supporting food safety when approved produce sanitizers are used.
Growers interested in labor-saving technologies may want to attend the Great Lakes Tek Flex event this September, where approximately 18 robotics vendors will demonstrate commercially available tools for weeding, spraying, and harvest assistance on small- and medium-sized vegetable farms. Event information is available through the Great Lakes Tek Flex website.
Crop conditions vary across Minnesota. Heat stress is affecting broccoli and cauliflower, while two-spotted spider mites are increasing in high-tunnel cucumbers. Beans and peas continue producing in many areas, and sweet corn growers are being advised to monitor for corn earworms and prepare bird-management strategies.
Tomatoes are experiencing increased pressure from early blight and bacterial spot, along with heat-related flower drop and leaf roll. Magnesium deficiencies are also appearing in some high-tunnel production systems. In vine crops, persistent morning wilting may indicate bacterial wilt or squash vine borer damage.
Experts recommend monitoring crops closely, improving airflow, managing pests and diseases promptly, and following proper harvest and storage practices to protect crop quality and marketability throughout the challenging season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sisoje
Categories: Minnesota, Crops