Early July Peach Varieties – Sentry, Glenglo, Ruby Prince, Garnet Beauty, and Sugar May

Warmer temperatures and periodic rains in the last few weeks helped early July peach varieties achieve a bigger size. There are excellent peach varieties throughout the harvest season; however, each has a few challenges, and understanding the overall tree and fruit characteristics can help make thinning, harvest, disease management, and post-harvest decisions. The Newer varieties […]

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Rutgers to Host Afternoon Cover Crops Field Day – August 5

Rutgers Cover Crops Field Day*The program may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather*Date: August 5, 2025Time: 3:00PM to 6:00 PMWhere: Snyder Research Farm, 140 Locust Grove Rd, Pittstown, NJ 08867 REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Please register by calling RCE of Sussex County: 973-948-3040*First 20 registrants will receive a FREE copy of the USDA SARE book: […]

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Diagnosing Southern blight and White mold in tomato and pepper

There have been a few reports of Southern blight (Sclerotinia rolfsii) and White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) on tomato and pepper in New Jersey. Southern blight is much more common in vegetable areas south of the state where summer temperatures remain hotter (above 90°F) for longer periods of time. Like white mold, it can survive in […]

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Diagnosing Verticillium Wilt in Eggplant

Verticillium wilt has been reported in eggplant this summer. It is a common soil-borne fungal pathogen that once it has infested soil can remain for a very long time. Verticillium wilt is caused by either Verticillium albo-atrium or Verticillium dahlia and has a wide host range (over 200 plant species). Both pathogens can survive (overwinter) […]

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Controlling phomopsis fruit rot in eggplant

Phomopsis blight is caused by the fungal pathogen, Phomopsis vexans. It survives between seasons in the soil on infested plant debris. Although the pathogen can infect stems and older leaves, fruit infections are most prominent. Cankers that develop on stems and branches can cause the entire plant to collapse and die. Circular, grayish spots may […]

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Veg IPM update 7/11/25

Greetings from the Veg IPM team! Sweet Corn Corn earworm moth captures are increasing in the southern part of the state leading to 3- or 4-day spray intervals being needed at all trapping locations south of interstate 195. When temperatures are high (>85 degrees F), shorten the spray interval by one day. Rotation is important […]

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