David Owens, Extension Entomologist, owensd@udel.edu This spring, cold weather has interfered with strawberry pollination resulting in misshapen berries. But there is another cause of deformed fruit: tarnished plant bug. Tarnished plant bugs are a brown to black, mottled, and small… Continue Reading
Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist; gcjohn@udel.edu Often, strawberry growers will have some plantings with reduced fruit size. The following are some possible causes: In plasticulture strawberries, one critical factor with varieties such as Chandler is the number of… Continue Reading
The Delaware Department of Agriculture has issued Guidance for Delaware U-Pick Farm Operations during COVID-19. The guidance is available through DDA’s website. A link to the guidance document is at: https://agriculture.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/108/2020/05/APPROVED_Guidance-for-Delaware-U-Pick-Farm-Operations-During-COVID-19_5.19.pdf.
As part of the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 19th that it will provide up to $2.1 billion in direct payments to specialty crops producers. The payments will be based on losses… Continue Reading
Jerry Brust, IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland; jbrust@umd.edu Spinach and beet leafminers have been around in low numbers for the past few weeks, which is a couple of weeks ahead of schedule but have increased rapidly in the last… Continue Reading
