Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

Renovation and Weed Management Issue Get Your Strawberry Beds Ready for Next Year and Manage Pests in Day-Neutral Strawberries The strawberry harvest has finished in most parts of the state, as very warm weather has hastened the ripening of later varieties. Overall, the crop was good and pickers were out in high numbers, especially when […]

Strawberry Harvest Begins in Southern Maine Pest Pressure Moderate; Look Out for Fruit Rots, Drosophila and Leafhoppers Situation Early varieties in southern Maine are showing some ripe fruit this week, and some growers will start spot picking for stand sales. It looks like the season may be a couple of days early in some spots, […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

RENOVATION AND WEED MANAGEMENT ISSUE Get Your Strawberry Beds Ready for Next Year and Manage Pests in Day-Neutral Strawberries The strawberry harvest is coming to a close in most parts of the state, as very warm weather has hastened the ripening of later varieties. The season started early for most farms, and hot weather caused […]

STRAWBERRY HARVEST STARTS IN SOUTHERN MAINE Be On the Lookout for Fruit Rots, Sap Beetles and Spotted Wing Drosophila Situation: Strawberry harvest is getting started in southern Maine, although the picking is light and mostly for stand sales at this point. A few warm sunny days are needed to push the ripening along and get […]

MORE RAIN MAKES INCREASES FUNGAL DISEASE THREAT Fungicide Applications Bloom – Post-Bloom To Control Botrytis, Anthracnose, Powdery Mildew Situation: A few warm days can make quite a difference! Strawberry growers in southern Maine are starting to see some ripe berries on early varieties and plants grown under row covers. Later varieties are still showing some […]