Prepare for Hot Weather and Spider Mites in 2024

Many new miticides for strawberries and vegetables Hot and dry are ideal conditions for spider mite outbreaks. Along the East Coast, growers reported spider mite infestations in beans, cucurbits, eggplant, tomatoes, sweet corn, and even potatoes. Mites are not true insects but are classed as a type of arachnid closely related to insects, spiders, ticks, … Read more

Fire Blight: Still an Orchard’s Enemy in 2024

Fire blight is near the top of the list of diseases for apples, crabapple, pears, and quince orchards, as it has the potential to cause serious economic loss and can even completely destroy an orchard. Understand its roots The term “fire blight” is derived from the appearance of infected leaves on very susceptible trees, which … Read more

Organic Broccoli – 2024 Growing Guide

Many progressive produce growers are jumping at the chance to grow different crops that will earn them more profit and help feed the world. North Carolina State University’s Mountain Research Station in Waynesville, N.C., hopes to offer growers more crops they can grow with confidence and, at the same time, improve their bottom line. Extension … Read more

Manage the Cane Diseases of Brambles in 2024

As celebrity chefs dazzle with their creations, and foodies extol the nutritional superiority of berries, consumer demand continues to soar. The brambles – including blackberries, boysenberries, dewberries, loganberries, raspberries – along with other berries, can be badly damaged by disease. The cane diseases, although caused by several fungi, require the same management controls. The root … Read more