Rutgers Cooperative Extension
August is National Peach Month! No wonder many high-quality peach varieties are ripening during this month. Understanding these varieties’ tree and fruit characteristics in New Jersey conditions can help make planting, replanting, and harvest-related decisions. Table 1 describes the physical and chemical properties of some new and standard, early August peach varieties evaluated at RAREC […]
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Summer Beaut – A medium to medium-large, ovate, 90-100% scarlet-red over yellow ground color, yellow-fleshed, semi-freestone, nectarine ripening from July 29-Aug 1. The flesh is firm with a good acidic flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous, moderately productive, and seems to fruit more heavily when planted near another variety. It has medium susceptibility to bacterial […]
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Greetings from the Veg IPM team! Sweet Corn Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures are staying steady with 4-day spray intervals in most of the south and some 5- and 6-day intervals in the north (see map). When temperatures are high (>85 degrees F), shorten the spray interval by one day. Rotation is important for avoiding […]
Continue reading...The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed extending the deadline for the traceability rule (Section 204) under the Food Safety Modernization Act until July 2028. The rule was to go into effect in 2026, but FDA is allowing more time for the industry to comply based on the complexity of the rule. FDA will […]
Continue reading...Are you a produce farm who has not yet had a FSMA Produce Safety Rule inspection? Have you received communication from the NJ Department of Agriculture about the Produce Safety Rule? Smaller size produce operations are currently being inspected by the NJDA for FSMA PSR compliance. If you have not yet had an inspection you […]
Continue reading...Cucurbit downy mildew was reported (7/11/25) on cucumber in central New Jersey. For more information on CDM and its control please click here. There have been no reports of CDM on other cucurbit crops. Basil downy mildew is active in southern New Jersey. For more information on controlling BDM please click here. Rutgers is looking […]
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