Vegetable farmers in South Florida should be wary that pepper weevil populations are increasing across the region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Infestations are increasing overall in Southwest Florida. They have reached moderate levels in older fields, while adults are migrating from mowed fall fields into spring fields that are in production. Population levels vary along …
Sneak Peek: March 2024 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
The March issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine puts weed management in the spotlight. Amid concerns over a lack of a dependable workforce and need to reduce input costs, growers need to be more efficient in their production strategies like weed control. Nathan Boyd, weed scientist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), along with …
El Niño Effect: North Florida Melon Producers Be Wary of Potential Disease Buildup
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains in the North Florida region amid the current El Niño weather pattern is a potential concern for the region’s watermelon producers. But as long as growers stay on top of their fungicide applications, any disease inoculum should be controlled, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension …
Speaking of Specialty Crops: Florida Citrus Show to Feature Vegetable Seminar Session
By Clint Thompson The Florida Citrus Show is no longer an event catered just to the citrus industry. This year’s show, scheduled for April 3 in Fort Pierce, Florida, will feature a seminar session specific to specialty crops. Josh McGill, show director for AgNet Media, talked about what specialty crop producers can expect when attending this year’s event, which will …
Citrus Health Forum Helps Cold-Hardy Growers
Production in the cold-hardy citrus region is still in its infancy. Growers and industry leaders need events like the Citrus Health Forum to obtain the necessary information to help this young industry continue to flourish. The latest forum took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy …
Artichokes Make for Pretty Plants
Did you know you can plant artichokes in your garden or landscape as well as eat them? The artichokes you eat are, in fact, immature flower buds. “Many home gardeners love artichokes, mostly as edibles,” said Shinsuke Agehara, a University of Florida (UF) associate professor of horticultural sciences who harvests the vegetable from January through March at the UF Institute of …
Planting Season for North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson The calendar may say Feb. 20 but for some watermelon growers in North Florida, it says it is planting time. “I believe that there are some that intend on starting around (Feb. 20) if the weather looks good during that period of time,” said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional …
UF Tomato Breeder Discuss New Role at GCREC
Jessica Chitwood-Brown is the new tomato breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). Chitwood-Brown coordinates the lab where she earned Ph.D. and conducted her post-doctoral research, in the northern end of Florida tomato country. She’s taken the position of her doctoral adviser, Sam Hutton, at the GCREC. “I really admire Sam, so I have a …
El Niño Impact: What Blueberry Diseases are Most Concerning for Growers This Year?
By Clint Thompson The excessive wet weather associated with El Niño this winter has provided ideal conditions for blueberry diseases to pop up. Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), highlighted the two disease concerns growers should be wary of heading into harvest season. They are botrytis gray …
AgNet Media Set to Host Florida Citrus Show
By Clint Thompson Citrus and specialty crop producers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Florida Citrus Show, scheduled for Wednesday, April 3 in Fort Pierce, Florida. This will mark the second year that AgNet Media will host the event, which will once again feature a tailgating theme with vendors in attendance, along with general and educational breakout sessions featuring …


















