Ruby King-Sweet Bell Pepper
The 2013 season will soon be upon us and looking back on last years field trials I am hoping for moisture. We have taken some time to review last years field conditions and the outcome of the Vegetable Trials. Please visit the following link which includes a review of the 2012 season and an overview of top performing veggies.
Dormant season pruning, summer vine management and trellising, and summer pruning are three of the most important techniques a grower needs to master if he or she is to grow healthy and productive grapes.
Portions of the presentation below were presented at the Wisconsin Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Conference and modified for the Wisconsin Garden Expo program.
The second presentation is the first section of the Wisconsin Garden Expo program and focuses on Seedless Table Grape production at the UW-Madison, West Madison Ag. Research Station.
Trollhaugen Seedless Table Grape
The seedless table grape trial at the station, in the garden, began in 2007. Fifteen varieties were planted in early June. We were all optimistic and had great hopes that at least four or five of the varieties would over-winter and produce a great crop of seedless table grapes. The hardiness zones for the grape varieties ranged from Zone 6 to Zone 4. Only one selection was rated at Zone 4. Most fell in the range of 5a or 5b.
Sommerset Seedless Table Grapes
Now five years later, we know that 12 of those original 15 varieties have over-wintered, and produced abundant fruit that ripens in our climate, and each has a unique and unusual taste.
Our annual seedless table grape report for 2012 has a detailed account of the varieties that have over-wintered, and a description of each variety. Please check the link below for the annual report.
seedless-table-grapes-for-wisconsin-2012a.pdf
Vanessa Seedless Table Grapes
The study of organic fungicides on powdery mildew went very well this year. In spite of the difficult weather conditions this year posed, the plants grew well and we were able to obtain very clear data. This years data was consistent with the data from 2011 which shows that we are the right track in determining the effectiveness of organic fungicides on powdery mildew that the cut-flower growers will be able to utilize. Along with this trial, there was a new element to this study. We looked at the effectiveness of cranberry leaves as a mulch. With two depths tested, along with a control, we were also able to see very clear results in how well cranberry leaves are able to suppress the growth of both grass-type weeds and broadleaf weeds. This study showed great promise this year and we are excited to continue to watch the results in 2013.
Please feel free to come by next year and see how we conduct our research. We are always happy to discuss the findings we see and pass on the as much knowledge as we can. 
‘Polar Bear Pumpkins’
Each year we trial annual fruits and vegetables. We evaluate new and old varieties side by side. During the season we make careful notation of flowering dates, fruit set dates, and first ripe fruits. In addition we evaluate plant habit, health, insect pressure, and taste. Our goal is to find out what varieties do best under our weather conditions here in Wisconsin.
Our data is used by both the home and market gardener to determine what to grow.
This years evaluations include a brief summary of weather conditions here at the station.
