Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Florida Avocado Tree

Clint ThompsonFlorida

With Cinco de Mayo approaching, now’s the time to dig into guacamole and even plant the tree that produces it. Florida avocados offer a fresh, tropical twist on this fan-favorite fruit that stars in so many recipes. Did you know Florida avocados have less fat than the popular Hass variety, making them the lean, green star of your fiesta spread? …

Minimal Disease Pressure in North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson There is minimal disease pressure in watermelons across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. With dry weather conditions expected in the near future, risk of new infections of bacterial or fungal diseases is currently low, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth noted in his weekly email what watermelon …

Current Whitefly Levels in South Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Whitefly populations are increasing in South Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Multiple reports indicate low to moderate whitefly populations in melons, tomatoes and snap beans in Southwest Florida. Whitefly infestations in melons is concerning, not just because of the risk of virus but in some populations, levels are high enough …

Florida Strawberry Season A ‘Win’ Following Milton’s Impact

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry farmers produced a viable and productive crop this year despite being challenged by Hurricane Milton just after planting season. It speaks to the resiliency of the state’s producers, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations director at Wish Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We obviously started the season with a lot of uncertainty, with the hurricane on …

breeder

Florida Tomato Exchange Not Supporting Any New New Suspension Agreement

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson The next 90 days are critical for the domestic tomato industry. That is how Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, views the next three months following Monday’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) would terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, which will become effective July 14, 2025. Guenther believes the …

Hail Damage in Some North Florida Watermelon Fields

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon crop sustained some damage from storms last Friday evening. There was minimal impact across the region, though some fields experienced hail damage, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. He reported in his weekly email that growers with heavy …

Fruit and Vegetable Season in South Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The calendar says mid-April which means vegetable season is underway in South Florida. Gene McAvoy, a crop consultant, discussed the current season. “We’re just getting into full swing with watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, just about everything right now,” McAvoy said. “We’re just now finishing up with cool season crops, cabbage and what not. But just about everything else …

Downy Mildew Confirmed in North Florida, South Georgia Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in a North Florida watermelon field, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Not only that, it was also confirmed in South Georgia as well. But growers must consider all the facts before responding to the breaking news. Hochmuth …

USDA Seeks Nominees for Florida Tomato Committee

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominees for the Florida Tomato Committee to fill seats for 10 producer members and their respective alternates for two-year terms, starting on Aug. 1, 2025. Nominations will take place on April 14 at a virtual nomination meeting in each of the two established districts. The committee is seeking nominees for five producer member …

Points to Consider for North Florida Watermelon Growers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

North Florida watermelon growers should be wary of a few initial reports of squash bugs impacting fields in the Suwanee Valley. Most are arriving around the perimeter of the fields, noted Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, in his weekly email. Most bugs were still individual …