The dry continues, and with a lot more heat showing up. Remember that most pests will grow, develop, and reproduce more quickly in warmer conditions. Crystal Stewart from Cornell Cooperative Extension reminds us that with the continued dry weather, providing consistent water is very important for alliums to size up well. Potato leafhoppers have started
Though not addressed in this edition of the Pest Report, Spinach downy mildew was spotted in Maine this week. It would be good to scout your spinach if you get a chance, as we want to make sure that this isn’t spreading to other farms. More info on spinach downy mildew here. Onion thrips have
Leek Moth Spinach/Beet Leafminers Sunscald/Windwhip Garden Springtails Help Track Diseased Browntail Moth Caterpillars The previous Pest Report discussed some issues created by cool and cloudy weather. With the much welcomed change towards warmer and sunnier days, take steps to avoid sunscald and/or windwhip on tender new transplants. David Fuller of UMaine Cooperative Extension is reporting
Edema Asparagus Beetle Flea Beetles Imported Cabbageworm The spring has continued to be a good one for drying out the soil, but cold temperatures are sticking around stubbornly. The national weather service has forecasted a relatively high probability of below normal temperatures for the next two weeks, at least. Cool and cloudy conditions favor occurrences
Spring 2020 Strawberry Update Seedling Problems Damping-Off in the Field Seedcorn and Other Maggots Hello and welcome to the first Pest Report of 2020. The Pest Report is a compilation of short discussions of pests, diseases and practical growing considerations relevant to the time of year. The Pest Report is not prescriptive – just
Never Let ‘Em Set SeedSwede Midge With shortening days and cooling temperatures, lots of annual weeds are registering these environmental cues as a directive to produce as many mature seeds as they possibly can before their time runs out. Andrew Radin at URI recently wrote about each weed plant’s potential contribution to your weed seedbank,
European Corn Borer In Peppers (Among Others)Winter Squash Looks Ready; Should I Harvest? Farmers and gardeners are truly seeing the fruits of their labors now, with all manner of crops being harvested! As the harvesting season continues and you start to get the harvesting itch while looking at your winter squash, make sure it’s
Good summer conditions have left many of us forgiving and forgetting the cold and wet start to the growing season. However, some of the ramifications from the winter and spring are still showing themselves. Vern Grubinger wrote a nice summary of mummyberry for highbush blueberries, that he allowed me to share here. It’s too late
Thanks to everyone that have been passing along their pest sightings. If you’d like a refresher you can always refer back to previous reports, as potato leaf hopper reports have been coming in, basil downy mildew has been identified in a couple locations in the state, and folks have been finding three-lined potato beetles and
Squash vine borer moths have been caught in monitoring traps in New Hampshire, indicating that adults are likely to be flying and laying eggs in Maine soon. Similarly, early sightings of cabbage aphids have occurred in Massachusetts, so it’s best to start scouting for them if you’ve had problems with them before. Cutworms have been
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