Tarnished Plant Bugs in Strawberry Fields Bacterial Angular Leaf Spot Found in Fields Irrigated for Frost Control Situation A few ripe berries were picked off of an early field in southern Maine this week that was under rowcovers this spring. Fields in the midcoast region should be ready for harvest in about two weeks. Overall, […]
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Much of Maine has enjoyed a nice stretch of warm and dry weather heading into the weekend. Garlic is developing nicely at all scouting locations. The NEWA onion disease forecast remains clear for Maine locations through June 9, but keep in mind that this updates with the weather forecasts, which have been erratic. Check these […]
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Thinning Outlook Most of our orchard blocks have excessive fruit set. Gala, McIntosh and Cortland have 4 to 5 fruitlets per cluster with almost no flowers dropping. Honeycrisp is showing signs of fruit set in most of the king blooms, but for side blooms, it’s too early to tell. In Macoun, it’s too early to […]
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Tarnished Plant Bug Active in Strawberry Fields Spider Mite Populations Higher in Most Fields This Week Situation Early strawberry varieties are now past full bloom in much of southern and midcoast regions of the state. Midseason varieties are nearly in full bloom. Generally, it takes 20-25 days for fields in full bloom to reach harvest […]
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Good growing conditions have continued, with moderate rainfall and warming temperatures encouraging the start of garlic bulb development. No major new diseases, or progressions in foliar diseases, have been observed at any scouting locations, and plants are generally healthy. Insect Pests With several recent warm spells, growing degree days (GDDs) that drive insect development are […]
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Thinning Update Apple and pear trees are close to petal fall today at Highmoor Farm. Most chemical thinners become effective at this time. Here is a link to the Guide’s section on thinning: Specific Apple Variety Thinning Recommendations : New England Tree Fruit Management Guide : UMass Amherst BA-type thinners (Maxcel, Rite-Way, Exilis) are not effective […]
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In this newsletter: Thinning Time Announcements Thinning Time Apples & Pears Apple and pear trees were in full bloom this week at Highmoor Farm. We observed plenty of bee activity in apples, pears and stone fruits and may have to thin aggressively in the next few weeks. The combination of heavy return bloom, good pollination […]
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Strawberry Bloom in Southern Maine Insect and Mite Populations Low Situation A few warm days have advanced strawberry development across the state. Early varieties are coming into bloom, and plants that were under rowcovers are now at or just beyond full bloom. Plant growth has been slow and weak in some fields, due to the […]
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Warmer weather conditions over the last week have encouraged good garlic growth at all scouting locations, and plants will soon begin bulbing. Now is the time to apply the final nitrogen sidedress of 40 lb N per acre (or about 0.09 lb N per 100 sq ft). This will support the last of the plants’ […]
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2026 Strawberry Pest Management Season Begins Save the Date: Vegetable and Berry Growers Twilight Meeting at Clark’s Farm, June 4, 5:30 p.m. Situation Spring has been slow to start and characterized by many cool, cloudy days. Although many parts of the state are still in a moderate drought, water levels have recovered somewhat since last […]
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