Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Frost is common in the northeastern US. However, frost events during bloom, specifically in orchard crops, can be economically devastating. Often, the cause is a few hours below the injury threshold temperature for the developing buds, as cooler nights result in the rapid loss of thermal energy. Several passive or low-tech strategies can help maintain […]
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Many arborists & landscapers often find it difficult to prevent white pine weevil pests (Pissodes strobi), because they are typically applying fertilizer & dormant oil treatments during the control window. In NJ, the control window against feeding white pine weevil adults occurs in March & April. Adults overwinter in the duff beneath trees. The WPW adults […]
Continue reading...Tree Fruit Phenology: Tree fruit phenology is about normal southern counties based on historical observations. In southern counties some early blooming varieties are pre-pink. Redhaven is normally at bud swell around March 22. Some apples are at green tip, and pears are about ½” green. Plums are at early to full bloom. Cooler weather this […]
Continue reading...The first Allium leafminer (ALM) oviposition scars were reported in Cape May this past weekend (38.9588N, 74.9082W), suggesting that adults are active in the southern part of the state. ALM are active around 250 GDDs. If you want to know how many GDDs have accumulated in your area, the NEWA website https://newa.cornell.edu/ has a helpful […]
Continue reading...Now is the time to think about where there are potential sanitation issues on your farm. At the start of the season all your bins, totes and harvesting tools that come in contact with the harvestable part of the crop should be washed and sanitized before using. First, they should be cleaned and scrubbed with […]
Continue reading...The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced March 20 that the Traceability Rule is being delayed for 30 months. The rule was to go into effect January 1, 2026, but now enforcement will not start for at least 2.5 years. FDA will be publishing a proposed rule at a later date. There are no indications […]
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