The program for the control of annual weeds in blueberries should consider the weed free strip under the row and the middles, sod or tilled, separately. The “Weed Control Season” in blueberries starts in late fall. The program implemented in the spring depends on what herbicides were applied the previous fall. If herbicides were applied in late fall, applications may be able to be delayed until later in the spring. Residual herbicides should be applied before bud break in late winter or early spring after the soil is no longer frozen if no late fall treatment was applied. [Read more…]
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Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting tree fruit and small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
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March 26, 2013 Brad Majek
Annual Weed Control in Vineyards
The program for the control of annual weeds in the vineyard should consider the weed free strip under the trellis and the sod middles between the rows separately. The “Weed Control Season” starts in late fall, after harvest. The program implemented in the spring depends on what herbicides were applied the previous fall. If herbicides were applied in late fall, applications can be delayed until later in the spring. Residual herbicides should be applied in late winter or early spring after the soil is no longer frozen, if no late fall treatment was applied. [Read more…]
March 26, 2013 Brad Majek
Annual Weed Control in Orchards
The program for the control of annual weeds in the orchard should consider the weed free strip under the tree and the sod middles between the tree rows separately. The “Weed Control Season” in orchards starts in late fall, after harvest. The program implemented in the spring depends on what herbicides were applied the previous fall. If herbicides were applied in late fall, applications can be delayed until later in the spring. Residual herbicides should be applied in late winter or early spring after the soil is no longer frozen, if no late fall treatment was applied. [Read more…]
March 22, 2013 Dave Schmitt
The Cicadas are Coming!
Brood II of the 17 year cicada (Magicicada sp.) is expected to emerge in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic this spring. The last emergence in 1996 did not cause many problems in southern NJ counties as I recall. Brood II is one of the broods reported on the east coast. This map indicates the possibility of a broad emergence throughout the region.
Cicada’s can damage trees and shrubs by laying eggs in the twigs. Damage can be severe if the adult emergence is large (populations can be in the tens of thousands per acre!). Damage can also come from sap feeding by females. New and young plantings up to 4 years of age are generally most susceptible to damage. Emergence occurs once the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees (sometime in May in southern NJ). Growers should start scouting in late April by listening for cicada songs and looking for damage.
Information on Cicada life history for tree fruit and for wine grape can be found at:
March 20, 2013 Brad Majek
Orchard Row-Middle Sod Maintanance
Managed sod row middles have many advantages, and have been adopted by many tree fruit growers. A perennial fescue sod does not attract insects pests, is not an alternate host for harmful nematodes, and provides shelter for beneficial insects. The sod provides a firm drive path for spring spraying of insecticides and fungicides, prevent or reduce soil erosion, and improve soil tilth by increasing soil organic matter. Control broadleaf weeds in the sod to eliminate bloom in the orchard throughout the spring and summer, which will attract beneficial pollinators into the orchard when the trees are not in bloom and insecticides are being applied. Control weeds in the sod in early spring or in the fall after harvest. [Read more…]
March 13, 2013 Jack Rabin
Blueberry Open House March 14, 2013
Commercial Growers are invited to the Blueberry Open House held this year at Kerri Brooke Caterers, 755 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ.
The program, which includes Spotted Wing Drosophila management issues, begins at 9am on March 14.
