Vegetable Crops Edition

Seasonal updates and alerts on insects, diseases, and weeds impacting vegetable crops. New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations updates between annual publication issues are included.
 
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June 3, 2026 and

Farm Visitors Are Back: Are you required to let the public bring their animals onto your retail farm?

A spring reminder of what you can and cant do regarding the public wanting to bring animals to your direct market and/or agritourism farm:

An increasing number of customers are bringing animals with them when they visit farm markets, pick your own farms, or agritainment activities. Animals can pose a food safety risk to produce, introduce disease to farm animals, frighten or upset farm animals. Outside animals can also pose a risk to employees and other market customers and farm visitors. Farmers need to consider these occurrences when keeping in compliance with regulations and buyer requirements specific to food safety and biosecurity to protect their farm animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) governs what you are legally allowed to do in regards to customers with service animals visiting your market or on your farm. This fact sheet will cover the specifics of the ADA, animals that are not protected by the ADA regulations, and how to reduce potential risk on your farm from outside animals. States often have regulations that go beyond the federal ADA regulation, information represented in this fact sheet is specific to New Jersey. If you farm in another state please consult the state by state guide linked at the end of this article.Dog resting in the shade

What do the ADA regulations cover?
While many types of animals can provide comfort and emotional support to their owners, only service animals are protected by the ADA, specifically Title II and III. The ADA regulations define “service animal” as dogs, and less commonly miniature ponies, that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding a blind person, alerting people who are deaf, assisting a person in a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or other duties. The work or task that a service animal has been trained to perform must be directly related to the persons disability. Some of these disabilities are obvious, others are not.

What questions can you legally ask?
When it is not obvious to you that an animal is a service animal you may ask just two questions to determine if the animal is a service animal.
1) Is the service animal required because of a disability?
2) What work or task has the service animal been trained to perform?
The service animal must have been trained to perform a specific task or work for a person with a disability in order to qualify for protection under the ADA regulations. Note that service animals do not always wear vests or harnesses, and there is no paperwork or ID Card carried by anyone with a service animal.

What questions are you legally prevented from asking?
1) You may not ask about the persons disability.
2) You may not ask for proof of the persons disability. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
June 3, 2026

Late-Planted Corn in Southern New Jersey: What to Expect and How to Manage in 2026

USDA reports indicate that 93% of the U.S. corn crop was planted by May 31, 2026, slightly ahead of the five-year average, with strong emergence (76%) and 67% of the crop rated good to excellent. However, national progress does not always reflect local conditions. In southern New Jersey (NJ), cooler soil temperatures and variable field conditions pushed some planting into late May and early June. Understanding how these later planting dates influence corn growth and management is critical for optimizing yield potential this season.

Key Takeaways for Growers

  • Yield potential declines with delayed planting after mid-May: Corn planted in early June typically experiences a 5 to 15% yield reduction compared to mid-May planting in the Mid-Atlantic, depending on hybrid maturity and late-season weather.
  • Shorter vegetative period means fewer kernels per ear: Later planting compresses vegetative growth, often reducing leaf area development, kernel rows and kernel number per ear. This is the primary driver of yield loss, not necessarily kernel weight.
  • Higher risk of heat stress during pollination: June-planted corn is more likely to tassel and silk during peak July heat, increasing risk of poor pollination and kernel abortion.
  • Grain fill may extend into cooler fall conditions: Later planting can push grain fill into September–October, increasing risk of slower dry-down, higher grain moisture at harvest, and potential early frost damage (in extreme cases).

Nutrient and Soil Considerations

  • Nitrogen (N) management becomes more critical as rapid early growth in warmer soils can increase N demand. So, consider split N applications or sidedress timing carefully (V5–V7 window still key).
  • Sulfur (S) deficiency risk may increase as warmer, wetter early-season conditions can enhance S leaching in sandy NJ soils. Visual symptoms may appear earlier in late-planted corn due to rapid growth.
  • Potassium (K) uptake timing is compressed as K uptake peaks around V6–VT. So, ensure adequate soil K, especially in coastal plain sandy soils.

Management Adjustments for Late-Planted Corn

  • Consider slightly shorter maturity hybrids if planting delayed beyond mid-June. However, for early June planting, most full-season hybrids are still acceptable.
  • Increase scouting frequency as faster growth means shorter windows to correct deficiencies. Pay attention to N deficiency (lower leaves yellowing) and S deficiency (upper leaves yellowing).
  • Weed control timing is tighter as corn canopy closes faster making narrower herbicide application window.
  • Monitor soil moisture closely as late-planted corn often has higher evapotranspiration demand during peak summer.

Summary

  • Corn planted in early June may face moderate yield risk, but not a major loss under good conditions.
  • The 2026 season will largely depend on weather during pollination (July) and timely nutrient management, especially N and S.
  • With proper in-season management and favorable weather, much of the yield potential can still be preserved.

References

  • Squire, M. 2026. USDA Releases First 2026 Corn Condition Ratings. Successful Farming, June 2, 2026.
  • Crop Progress (June 2026) 19 USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/795928/prog2226.pdf)
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Organic Production
May 29, 2026 and

Vegetable IPM Update 5/29/26

Greetings from the Veg IPM team! Things are ramping up, and we have some important updates on diseases in tomatoes and peppers.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,
May 25, 2026

Networks to Reduce Risk: Field trip to Montclair Community Farms and Program Wrap up

Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the final event of the Networks to Reduce Risk: Building Viable NJ Farms program! We’re celebrating with a special field trip to Montclair Community Farms from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This fun wrap‑up event offers a great chance to explore urban agriculture, learn about sustainability and community food systems, and connect with fellow participants. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided, and it’s the perfect opportunity to take photos and close out the program together. Registration is just $5—save your spot today! You can register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/lxjqrrv7
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
May 22, 2026 and

Vegetable IPM Update 5/22/26

Greetings from the Veg IPM team! Here are the most recent pest and disease issues we’re seeing in various vegetable crops.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,
May 19, 2026

Grower Survey: Interest in Ginger and Turmeric Production in New Jersey?

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is seeking input from New Jersey growers regarding their interest in producing ginger and turmeric as specialty crops in the state. Information collected through this survey will help identify current production practices, perceived challenges, and research and Extension needs associated with ginger and turmeric production in the region.

Survey responses will also contribute to the development of a multi-state Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) preproposal led by University of Georgia, with Rutgers contributing to the weed management component of the project. The goal of this effort is to better understand grower needs and support future research and Extension programming focused on sustainable production practices for these emerging specialty crops.

The survey is brief and should take only a few minutes to complete.

Access the survey here:
Ginger and Turmeric Grower Interest Survey

We encourage participation from growers currently producing ginger or turmeric, as well as those interested in potentially incorporating these crops into their farming operation.

Thank you for your participation and support

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,