By Clint Thompson Hot and dry conditions mean irrigation is a must for Alabama’s vegetable and specialty crops. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, implores producers to stay vigilant in ensuring their crops have sufficient moisture. “This is a critical period to make sure that we have ample water out there, to make sure we’re either getting good stands or …
Rainy February Key During May Dry Period
By Clint Thompson A rainy February provided excessive moisture that’s been a saving grace for vegetable and specialty crop producers during the dry period in May. “The winter was very unusual because we had a La Nina. Normally when we have a La Nina, we don’t get a lot of soil moisture recharge in the winter. But February, because it …
Weedy Issue: Ragweed Parthenium Becoming Major Problem in Florida
By Clint Thompson One weed is expanding rapidly across Florida. “Ragweed Parthenium, I would say is the biggest issue that’s relatively new. Its range seems to be rapidly expanding. Not that it didn’t ever occur here before, but I never saw Ragweed Parthenium in any of the specialty crop fields around us, and that’s mostly tomatoes and strawberries. Now I …
Collision Course: North Florida, South Georgia Watermelons Likely Hitting Market at Same Time
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelons and South Georgia watermelons are likely on a collision course for the Southeast market this summer. Weather is the main reason why. Florida Frost Producers in the Suwanee Valley Region in North Florida have started harvesting this year’s crop. But many of their fields were impacted by a scattered frost late in the season. …
Irrigation Vital During Critical Periods of Vegetable Season
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry conditions mean irrigation is a must for Alabama’s vegetable and specialty crops. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, implores producers to stay vigilant in ensuring their crops have sufficient moisture. “This is a critical period to make sure that we have ample water out there, to make sure we’re either getting good stands or …
Soil Tests Essential for Upcoming Season
By Clint Thompson A proper soil test can better prepare growers for the upcoming planting season. It should be done well in advance, says Eric Simonne, University of Florida/IFAS Northeast Extension District Director. “Ahead of the planting season is always the right time to do soil testing. You want to do that ahead of time enough so that if they …
Interest Increases in Florida Pearl
By Clint Thompson Interest in the new Florida Pearl strawberry, released by University of Florida strawberry breeder Vance Whitaker, is gaining momentum. It’s expected to lead to a substantial jump in acres for the upcoming season; perhaps as much as 200 acres. “The interest has been variable depending on the business model of the different growers. There definitely will be …
Drought Update: Dry Conditions Prevailing in Southeast
The Southeast continues to endure dry conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, all of South Florida is either abnormally dry or in a moderate drought. This is especially true for Collier County, Monroe County, Palm Beach County and Broward County. The middle portion of Florida is abnormally dry as well, especially around the Polk County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County …
Drought Impact: Lack of Moisture Means Minimal Disease Pressure on Veggies
By Clint Thompson Not all is bad when producers think about the hot and dry conditions throughout the Southeast. Disease pressure has been extremely light in South Georgia vegetable fields, according to Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Vegetable Agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth Counties. “Foliar fungal diseases or bacterial diseases is the only thing that this hot, …
Disease Alert: Cucurbit Growers Be Mindful of Powdery Mildew
By Clint Thompson Not all plant diseases need moisture to become problematic. Some cucurbit farmers in Georgia are finding that out with powdery mildew. The extended dry period in Georgia has allowed powdery mildew to flourish. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, said there is a moderate level of concern among producers, though there are effective fungicides …