Author: swright

Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert — August 1, 2025

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist; Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology; Christina Howard, Maine New Farmers Project Manager Spotted wing drosophila fruit fly numbers have increased at most our trapping sites in Southern Maine this week (see table below). Populations are over the recommended spray threshold (4/ […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — July 30, 2025

In this newsletter: Peach Maturity Leaf and Soil Sampling Reminder Peel Sap Analysis for Predicting Bitter Pit Soil Moisture Readings Dept of Agriculture’s Autumn in Maine statewide publication Peach Maturity In southern Maine, the early to ripen peaches have reached a stage where they can be harvested. At Highmoor Farm, our early peaches have another […]

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Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) confirmed in Franklin County, MA

Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) symptoms were confirmed on Friday, July 25th in Franklin County, MA. All cucurbits are susceptible to this disease, with cucumbers and melons most at risk. So far this season there are no nearby outbreaks affecting pumpkins or squash. If you have not added DM-targeted fungicides to your spray program already you […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert — July 25, 2025

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist; Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology; Christina Howard, Maine New Farmers Project Manager We continue to capture spotted wing drosophila fruit flies at our trapping sites in Southern Maine (see table below) and wild blueberry fields in the coastal and midstate regions. […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert — July 18, 2025

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist; Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology; Christina Howard, Maine New Farmers Project Manager We are now catching spotted wing drosophila fruit flies at all of our trapping sites in Southern Maine (see table below) and wild blueberry fields in the coastal and […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — July 14, 2025

In this newsletter: Fruit Price Survey Bitter Pit Risk Management Preharvest Intervals Peach Harvest Dates Leaf Sampling Reminder Price Survey I will be sending out a price survey in the next newsletter. This will be to calculate an average for farmstand and pick-your-own prices per pound and per 10-lb. tote at the stand and for […]

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