Crop Production

2024 Ag Expo

Come to the 2024 Connecticut Agricultural Expo! There will be a farm equipment and implements showcase, crop production supplies and services. This is a great opportunity to get Pesticide CEU credits, network and great food. This event is taking place Wednesday, November 20th from 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM, at the Aquaturf in Southington. For more […]

Sustainable Regenerative Gardening for Everyone

Please join us for a lively conversation about sustainable regenerative gardening practices with five local farmers, who, between them, have many years of vegetable growing experience they are keen to share with you. Come prepared with your questions to this knowledgeable panel of experts. This Advanced Master Gardener Class is on Sunday, November 3rd, 10:00am – 12:00pm at […]

Meet Charles Krasnow

Charles Krasnow joined UConn Extension as an associate extension educator for controlled environment agriculture in September. He is originally from Newton, Massachusetts and earned his bachelor of science from UMASS Amherst and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. What is your area of interest and how did you get started with it? I love plant pathology, […]

Non-Infectious Plant Disorders – Oedema and Intumescences

Oedema (edema) or intumescences are lesions that can occur on begonia, ivy geraniums, cactus, cleome, ivy, ornamental sweet potato vine, and annual thunbergia. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and tomato can also suffer from this disorder. Houseplants with fleshy leaves, such as jade, peperomia and schefflera, may be prone to edema when the environmental conditions are favorable. The target audience of this factsheet is commercial greenhouse growers.

Intumescences (Edema) on Greenhouse Tomatoes

Intumescences is an abiotic disorder that can affect greenhouse-grown tomatoes. It is a physiological disorder, not an infectious disease. It is also known as edema (oedema). The target audience of this fact sheet is commercial greenhouse growers.

Downy Mildew on Basil in the Greenhouse

Downy mildew on basil was first reported in the United States in 2007, in Florida. By 2008 and 2009, it was widespread in the Northeast. Downy mildew on basil is seed-borne, so infections can begin in the greenhouse. It is also readily spread by air-blown spores. This fact sheet should be of interest to commercial greenhouse growers.

Soil Fertility Management for Vegetable Farms

Many of soils throughout Connecticut tend to be more acidic, formed as rocks were ground and deposited by glaciation. The pH of soils cultivated for vegetable growing typically declines (becomes more acidic) gradually from the removal of calcium, magnesium and potassium ions–by leaching and crop uptake–and from the use of acid-forming fertilizers. Testing every year gives a more complete evaluation and is also appropriate when significant changes have been made in the fertilizer program. Reviewing fertilizer labelling is essential.

2024 Summer Internship in Fruit Production and IPM

2024 Summer Internship in Fruit Production and IPM with Evan Lentz Assistant Extension Educator in Fruit Production and IPM Young 116A Background: I am seeking an individual undergraduate student who will assist with ongoing pest monitoring research efforts around the state. Pest monitoring is one of the essential tools available to farmers and researchers who […]

Managing Cover Crops in Spring

With temperatures warming as spring approaches each year, many farmers are deep in preparations for the coming season; crop planning, purchasing seed, prepping nurseries, repairing machinery and more. In the midst of this planning one might look over the farm on a sunny day, and wonder, “What am I going to do with all this over-wintered rye cover crop?”

Garlic Cultivation in Connecticut

Garlic is a staple crop in the Northeast, but it can be difficult to know exactly when to plant and harvest garlic in this region. There are quite a few important guidelines during all stages of garlic cultivation.

Prepare Your Greenhouses for Weather Events

As the climate changes, nature seems to be getting more violent in recent years with increased numbers of hurricanes and record-breaking storms. The International Building Code has revised upward its wind and snow loading requirements for some areas of the U.S.  

Preparing Your Greenhouse for a Hurricane

Site exposure, height, shape and roof slope affect the wind load that a greenhouse can take without sustaining damage. Although most greenhouses are designed for a minimum 85 mph wind load, gusts can damage large sidewalls at even lower speed.

Start Clean and Stay Clean 

It’s best not to wait until just before you start your spring seedlings, to begin cleaning, removing clutter and organizing your greenhouses.

Climate Adaptation Tactics in Vegetable Production

With climate change exacerbating many abiotic stresses, including heat, drought, flooding, and the increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, it is imperative to investigate adaptation tactics for successful vegetable production.

Fireblight & Mitigating Resistant Populations

Fireblight is often one of the top concerns for Connecticut fruit producers. This disease, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, is both highly destructive and infectious, making informed disease management efforts a top priority.

Beware of Hopperburn!

‘Hopperburn’ refers to the complex of symptoms associated with potato leafhopper (PLH) feeding injury. Crops primarily attacked by the potato leafhopper include potato, beans, soybeans and alfalfa. Other host plants include eggplant, cucumber, Jerusalem artichokes, squash, sweet potato and rhubarb.