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DON’T RUSH I will concentrate in this first pest report for 2017 on problems that are common when a grower simply tries to push a crop too early. Basically the recommendation will be to calm down, sit tight, and wait for the soil and air to be more hospitable to tender crops. Of course, I

Downy mildew on spinach Downy Mildew of Spinach If you see this disease on your spinach crop, please respond with answers to the following question to help us develop a response, and future research. 1) Which varieties that you are growing are showing downy mildew? 2) If some of your varieties have downy and some

Hawk moths, adult form of the squash vine borer Squash vine borer, larval phase, inside a zucchini stem. Photo by Massiv99. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons SQUASH VINE BORER Squash vine borers are showing up in traps, and I saw an adult sitting on one of my butternut squash just a few days ago.

Current Situation There is not enough water in most of our soils, and the temperature has occasionally been very high, and the sun has been occasional very bright. This spells trouble for seedlings being taken from a very cushy life on the bench in a greenhouse and set out in the harsh environment. The two

DON’T RUSH I will concentrate in this first pest report on problems that are common when a grower simply tries to push a crop too early. Basically the recommendation will be to calm down, sit tight, and wait for the soil and air to be more hospitable to tender crops. Of course, I don’t follow

Late blight symptoms on tomato leaves Late Blight Alert – August 11, 2015 My vigilance increases as late blight reports get closer. Late blight has been found on tomatoes in Maine. Two new reports north and west of Bangor, and rainy weather coming, means my vigilance is at a high level. I have been scouting

In this issue: Tomato Leaf Diseases Squash Bug Powdery Mildew of Cucurbits Septoria leaf spot Early blight Late blight SUMMER TOMATO PROBLEMS Some farmers and gardeners like to use the same ground year after year for their tomatoes. Often this works, but often it doesn’t – most commonly because of a few tomato diseases that

In this issue: Potato Leafhopper Imported Cabbage and Other “Worms” Colorado Potato Beetle Garlic Bulb (Bloat) Nematode Squash Vine Borer Leafhopper nymph Leafhopper hopperburn on potato leaves POTATO LEAFHOPPERS I have received no reports yet, nor seen them in Maine or New Hampshire, but be on the look out for the potato leafhopper (PLH). It

In this issue: Basil Downy Mildew Seedcorn Maggot Asparagus Beetle Flea Beetles in Brassicas Basil downy mildew Basil downy mildew on the underside of a basil leaf BASIL DOWNY MILDEW It is very early in the season to be mentioning this problem, but once again long distance marketing from large corporations has created an issue.