The growing season has kicked into high gear, and orchardists are monitoring their pest and disease situations closely, continuing to scout orchards and to utilize cultivation practices, reducing their reliance on crop sprays. But in many growing regions, tree fruit requires a spray program, whether that program is a conventional or an organic one. To … Read more
Pests are detrimental to strawberry and blueberry crops. Not only will they destroy the crop, but they will also harm your profits. Here are 10 pests to watch out for. Strawberry Pests 1. Strawberry bud weevil Strawberry bud weevils are reddish brown and are about 1/10 to 1/8 inches long. The female bud weevils chew … Read more
Irrigation is an ancient concept, developed 8,000 years ago in Egypt and Mesopotamia and refined over millennia. Some irrigation practices have stood the test of time, while others have given way to technological advancements. As the population continues to grow, good irrigation becomes even more important. Good irrigation leads to better yields. Irrigation systems created … Read more
Imagine two strawberry growers with side-by-side booths at a local farmers market. One has plump, vibrant red strawberries stacked on top of a bushel basket. The other batch is clearly attacked by anthracnose, speckled with brown and black spots. Which strawberries do you think will sell? It takes hard work and good agricultural practices to … Read more
This year, growers of summer squash can choose from a plethora of standard varieties. They can also select from introductions bred with improved fruit quality and various squash types new to their markets, as well as numerous varieties with disease packages. Traditionally bred, genetically engineered and certified organic seeds are also available. Resistance to certain … Read more