It’s a little early in the season but now is a good time to start thinking about ways to help mitigate cucurbit downy mildew pressure later on. All cucurbit fields, especially cucumber and other summer squash fields should be destroyed immediately after the last harvest to help limit potential inoculum sources for cucurbit downy mildew, […]
Continue reading...Destroying cucurbit plantings after harvesting is a must to help mitigate downy mildew
Needs Assessment Survey for RU Ready to Farm Beginner Farm Training Program

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Training Program-RU Ready to Farm is looking for input from beginner farmers on what types of subjects they would like to see covered. The 2022 season of RU Ready to Farm will feature in person workshops that are open to the general beginner farmer community, and the focus and content of […]
Continue reading...Basil downy mildew found in southern New Jersey – ALERT 6/8/21
Basil downy mildew has been confirmed in potted sweet basil being sold by a box-store in Cumberland County in southern New Jersey. This is the second report of BDM in the state and region this growing season. All basil growers are encouraged to scout their fields or greenhouses on a daily basis and should consider […]
Continue reading...Recognizing Angular Leaf Spot in Cucurbits
Angular leaf spot is common in New Jersey and the region. It often shows up during cooler, wet weather and isolated rain. Angular leaf spot will first appear as, small water-soaked lesions which will expand until they reach a larger leaf vein resulting in the angular looking symptoms on leaves. Under heavy disease pressure, the bacteria will […]
Continue reading...Rutgers Resources to Help Your Customers Safely Preserve Your Farm Fresh Produce

Our Ag & Natural Resources (ANR) Chair Nick Polanin shared that our Rutgers Cooperative Extension Family & Community Health Science Department (FCHS) has developed social media posts (below) and the attached mini posters for use by on-farm & community farm markets to promote safe home food preservation. These direct users to the NJAES home food […]
Continue reading...Avoiding Plectosporium blight in cucurbit fields.
Plectosporium blight, also known as Microdochium blight or White speck, caused significant problems in some pumpkin fields last summer in New Jersey. The soil-borne fungal pathogen, although somewhat uncommon, can unexpectedly show up in some years and cause significant losses if left uncontrolled. The fungus survives in the soil on decaying plant debris where it […]
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