Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Seasonal updates on insects, diseases, weeds, maturity dates and cultural practices impacting only tree fruit.
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Print copies of the 2023/2024 New Jersey Tree Fruit Production Guides are available at your local Cooperative Extension Offices for $25 per copy.
The guides will soon be available for FREE online. Once they are available online the announcement will be made on the Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory.
If you have any trouble obtaining a guide from your local office please contact: Kim Crommelin: kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us or 908-788-1338.
Tree Fruit Phenology: Tree Fruit Phenology remains advanced in peach, but development is slowing. In southern counties all peach orchards are late bloom to petal fall. Redhaven was at approximately full bloom on April 4. Plums are at shuck off. Pears are at petal fall. Red Delicious is just past full bloom. Sweet cherries are at about late bloom depending on variety. [Read more…]
Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM has was set on 4/10 in southern counties. No biofix has been set for northern counties. The first insecticides for first generation Oriental Fruit Moth control should be applied at 170-200 degree days base 45 after biofix with conventional materials, and at 100-150 degree days base 45 for diamides. Timings are updated in the table below. This timing generally coincides with 100% petal fall in peaches. Do not apply insecticides until all bloom is off. No Insecticides for OFM are needed where Mating Disruption is implemented.
| OFM 1st Generation Timing | |||
| Insecticide Type | |||
| County/Region | Degree Days by 4/11 base 45 | Conventional
170-200, 350-375 |
Diamide
100-150, 300-350 |
| Gloucester – Southern | 10 | 1st –4/18-4/20
2nd – |
1st –4/15-4/17
2nd – |
| Middlesex – Northern | 0 | 1st –
2nd – |
1st –
2nd – |
Tree Fruit Phenology: Tree Fruit Phenology remains advanced in peach, but development is slowing. In southern counties all peach orchards are late bloom to petal fall. Redhaven was at approximately full bloom on April 4. Plums are at shuck off. Pears are at petal fall. Red Delicious is just past full bloom. Sweet cherries are at late bloom depending on variety. [Read more…]
(TRENTON) – With the state expected to experience colder spring temperatures, the Department of Environmental Protection has agreed with NJ Dept of Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher’s request to allow farmers to do controlled open burning or use specialized torches known as smudge pots to protect crops from damage beginning Friday, April 7, through Friday, April 14.
These cold events could adversely affect some of the fruit, vegetable, and floriculture crops.
Note: The NJDEP and New Jersey Forest Fire Service caution all farmers and agriculture businesses with respect to the use of open burning in high wind velocity conditions. Please take note that farmers are encouraged to utilize smudge pots is warming as necessary during higher wind conditions. Use of open burning when wind velocity is greater than 5mph is strictly prohibited, may contribute to wildfire risk, and can carry significant penalties. [Read more…]
(TRENTON) – With the state expected to experience colder spring temperatures, the Department of Environmental Protection has agreed with NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher’s request to allow farmers to do controlled open burning or use specialized torches known as smudge pots to protect crops from damage beginning today, Friday, April 7, through Friday, April 14.
These cold events could adversely affect some of the fruit, vegetable, and floriculture crops.
Note: The NJDEP and New Jersey Forest Fire Service caution all farmers and agriculture businesses with respect to the use of open burning in high wind velocity conditions. Please take note that farmers are encouraged to utilize smudge pots is warming as necessary during higher wind conditions. Use of open burning when wind velocity is greater than 5mph is strictly prohibited, may contribute to wildfire risk, and can carry significant penalties. [Read more…]
