Extreme Summer Weather

Flooding

Rain from last weekend's storm brought some relief to our region, which has been experiencing a long period of moderate to severe drought. However, heavy downpours during dry conditions often translates to more water run off than substantial ground soaking, and results in a heightened risk for flooding.

While there was concern the storm damage from July 4th could've been more widespread, localized areas experienced downbursts of rain, wind, and hail leading to downed trees, impassable roads, and power outages. If your farm received damage over the weekend, please report them to your local FSA office.

Resources:

Ways for Growers to Be Ready for Flooding and Hurricanes in Connecticut

CT Department of Agriculture - Flooding Resources

Storm Impact on Pest & Diseases

Storm systems moving across the northeast during the summer months bring with them a surge in insect pests that aren't able to overwinter in our region. The relief in heat and humidity is often temporary, if at all. Considering July is a time of abundant foliar growth, air flow among plants becomes more and more challenging as plant surfaces become more susceptible to disease and fungal growth in the summer climate.

Five general tips:

1. Avoid overhead watering: Use drip irrigation when possible. If overhead irrigation is unavoidable, do so early in the morning so plants can dry quickly in the sun.
2. Manage weeds: In addition to using up precious nutrients and water, weeds harbor pathogens and pests that can threaten the health of your crops.
3. Stake and prune: Stake vining plants to reduce soil contact and get them away from ground insects. Prune and remove diseased plant material including fruit.
4.  Work strategically and sanitize often: Do your best to avoid working in fields when plants are wet. Work in the healthiest part of the field last, and make sure to sanitize your tools (including boots and harvesting equipment) often.
5. Go on scouting walks: pests and diseases are easier to deal with when identified early. Contact us you need assistance with identifying the cause of a symptom or would like help with customizing a spray program.

Cucurbit Powdery Mildew

Begin scouting for powdery mildew at fruit initiation. Fungicides should be applied at the first sign of disease (or earlier with some products). On cucurbits, the disease has a white powdery appearance and infects both the top and bottom of the leaf, making it more difficult to control with non-systemic fungicides. However, powdery mildew fungi tend to become resistant to systemic fungicides such as Topsin-M (Group 1) and Cabrio, Flint Extra, Quadris, and Sovran (Group 11). Resistances to Group 1 and Group 11 fungicides have resulted in the removal of these classes of fungicides from recommendations, with the exception of Pristine which is a combination product. Resistance to the DMI fungicides (Rally, Procure - Group 3) is also widespread; use Rally or Procure at the high labeled rate only. 

The most effective contact fungicides are sulfur, mineral oil, and chlorothalonil. For organic production, options include sulfur, mineral oil/JMS Stylet-Oil, potassium bicarbonate, neem oil, Regalia, Double Nickel, and similar labeled products, but many organic materials work best preventatively and require excellent coverage.

With the forecasted heat, be careful with sulfur and oils. Sulfur can injure plants when temperatures approach 90°F, and oils can also cause crop injury under hot or drought-stressed conditions. If using sulfur, oil, or other organic contact materials, apply during cooler parts of the day and follow label restrictions on temperature, crop safety, and mixing intervals.

Squash Bugs

Squash bug adults find zucchini, yellow summer squash, and other thick-stemmed cucurbits like pumpkins and Hubbard squash most attractive. They thrive when plants are large and can provide a greater surface area for food, shelter, and egg-laying. Adults are long-lived and lay eggs over several weeks. High densities of squash bugs can cause foliage to wilt, turn black, and die. Squash bugs also feed on the fruit causing scarring and reducing marketability.

Scout the undersides of leaves for squash bug adults and eggs. Treat if egg masses exceed 1 per plant. Time squash bug sprays to kill young nymphs which are easiest to control. Thorough plant coverage is necessary. As the spray timing often coincides with the bloom period, treat plants late in the day to reduce risk to bees. Be mindful of pollinators when selecting a control product and select one with lower bee toxicity.

Cucumber Beetles

Armyworms

Armyworms were recently found feeding on high-tunnel tomatoes in Middlesex County, mainly near an open tunnel door. They are smooth-bodied caterpillars that may be green, brown, gray, or nearly black, often with lengthwise stripes. Several armyworm species may feed on tomatoes. Young larvae make small holes or skeletonize leaves; larger larvae can consume substantial foliage and may also feed on fruit. Scout plants near doors, vents, weeds, and tunnel edges first, checking leaf undersides and the interior canopy. Look for caterpillars, fresh feeding, frass, and fruit injury.

Remove caterpillars by hand where infestations are localized. Control weeds and grasses around tunnel entrances, and consider insect screens where practical. Treat while larvae are small if numbers are increasing or if feeding is becoming economically significant. Effective options include Bacillus thuringiensis products such as Dipel and Xentari. Bt works best on very small larvae and requires thorough coverage and ingestion. For a more comprehensive list, consult New England Vegetable Management Guide. Rotate insecticide mode-of-action groups and preserve natural enemies whenever possible.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Save These Dates!