August 15 Vegetable Updates

West central Michigan vegetable update

In cucurbits, cucurbit downy mildew has been on the move in west Michigan.

East Michigan vegetable update

Pickling cucumber harvests are rolling. Downy mildew reports are still coming in from the Thumb and southeast Michigan. It is a good time to use Ranman or Orondis Opti on new and older crops. Orondis can only be 30 percent of the total spray program.

Phytophthora fruit rots are showing up in some areas. There are many preventative actions that can be taken to combat Phytophthora, including field selection, equipment sanitation and irrigation source selection and timing. In a field with a known problem, preventative fungicides must contact the fruit. Sprayers must provide good canopy penetration when fruit are 1, 3 and 5 inches long.

Southeast Michigan vegetable update

Organic growers are invited to attend the Organic Management Field Day Sept. 19 at the Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

Southwest Michigan vegetable update

For products that will potentially control vegetable pests, refer to the Current Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers.

Flint, Michigan, area urban agriculture update

Area growers are harvesting cucumbers, summer squash, and zucchini. Cucumbers are abundant in area hoop houses.