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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Cool, wet weather has not slowed garlic growth at scouting locations in Buxton, Topsham, or Washington, and plants are generally healthy with about 5-7 leaves each. Some infrequent emergence issues are being investigated and are likely the result of mites or Fusarium, both of which were highlighted in last week’s newsletter on spotty emergence. What […]
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In this newsletter: Bloom Stages Stone Fruit Diseases USDA Request for Crop Damage Announcements Bloom Stage at Highmoor Farm Apples Zestar! trees are at the pink stage, and most of the other apple varieties are at early pink. Peaches Peaches are at the balloon stage. The more tender varieties such as Desiree have a fair […]
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As you scout your garlic, you may notice areas where plants haven’t emerged or where young foliage is distorted. Unfortunately, there are several possible causes for this erratic emergence and growth. That is because the growing point of garlic is its basal plate, where the roots meet the fleshy clove. When the growing point is […]
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Garlic crops are off to a healthy start for the 2026 growing season. Rain is in the forecast, which is much needed in areas still under severe drought in Maine, but this may be conducive to foliar pathogens and clove rots. It is time to begin scouting garlic to ensure that any problems are identified […]
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Early Outlook on Frost and Bud Survival Minimum temperatures this morning were close to the point where freeze damage can occur especially in low spots and frost pockets. I did an initial assessment of injury by inspecting flower buds from a few locations at Highmoor Farm and found some damage but only in the lower […]
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In this newsletter: Bud Stage Development and Hardiness Announcements Bud Stage at Highmoor Farm It’s that time of year again when we worry about freezing temperatures that kill flower buds. Warming temperatures push buds to stages where they lose hardiness, so any cool down below freezing makes us nervous. If you are considering an application […]
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In this newsletter: Bud Stage Development and Bud Survival Spring Herbicide Reminders, Guest Article Announcements Bud Stage Development and Bud Survival Some flower buds have just started to reach silver tip, while most are not yet there. Honeycrisp buds are swelling, but development has been slow thanks to the cold weather. Return bloom looks good […]
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