VegNet Vol. 12, No. 8. May 26, 2005
Ohio State University Extension Vegetable Crops
On the WEB at:  http://vegnet.osu.edu
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In This Issue
1. Vegetable Weed Control

2. Crop Reports

3. New Farmer’s Market in Akron

Vegetable Weed Control by Bradley A. Majek, Ph.D., Specialist in Weed

Science. From Plant and Pest Advisory, May 25, 2005. Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Peppers - Cold weather earlier in the season may result in abnormal growth of peppers during the next few weeks. Low temperatures can injure tiny leaves in the growing points. When these leaves grow out in a few weeks, they may exhibit a variety of epinastic responses that resemble virus or 2,4-D drift injury. Leaves make be crinkled, stretched, the midvein may be shortened, and/or the leaves may appear otherwise abnormal. The response can be very variable. Night temperatures after transplanting need not drop to freezing to cause this injury. Night temperatures in the upper thirties and even forties can affect “soft” plants just out of the greenhouse.

The plant will outgrow the problem in time.

Postemergence Herbicide Crop Tolerance by Bradley A. Majek, Ph.D., Specialist in Weed Science Rutgers Cooperative Extension

The recent extended period of cloudy weather and high soil moisture may have resulted in certain crops growing rapidly and developing a thinner than “normal” wax layer, called the cuticle, on the leaves. This thinner cuticle is more easily penetrated by postemergence herbicides. Warm temperatures during the cloudy moist period will increase the speed of growth and the thinness of the cuticle.

To reduce the risk of crop injury from postemergence herbicides this week:

1. Reduce the amount of spray additives used to the minimum labeled amount.

2. Use nonionic surfactants instead of oil concentrates when the herbicide label gives you a choice.

3. Do NOT add any surfactant, oil concentrate, or other additive if the label allows application alone.

4. Do NOT add liquid fertilizer to the spray solution, even if the herbicide label suggests it as an option.

5. Delay treatment of crops that are marginally large enough to treat according to the herbicide label.

6. Delay treatment until the crop has experienced 3 to 5 days of bright, clear, warm, and sunny weather before applying postemergence herbicides. The cuticle thickens when the weather turns warm, sunny, and dry. ❏

Crop Reports Southeast Ohio, Hal Kneen

Insect heliotraps are out for European Corn Borer and Corn earworm.  Two beet armyworm traps are in the field. So far no insect moths have been caught in Racine Ohio as of May 24. Some aphids being spotted in pepper fields. So far no potato beetles spotted in tomato fields.

Planting transplants of muskmelons and watermelons and some seeded vine crops. First planting of pepper & tomato transplants in the ground. Plants are growing. Earlier plantings are being trellised and are beginning to form fruit. Later planting of tomato transplants will be transplanted in mid-late June. Suspect that we are 10-14 days behind the normal season.

Sweet corn continues to grow but could use warmer weather like rest of the warm loving vegetables. Showers are still quite scattered, most of the county received less than one quarter inch of rainfall since Saturday morning.  Good shower on Friday, May 20 approximately one half inch rainfall received.

Wayne, Medina, Summit, Stark and  Holmes Co, Ron Becker

In our area most of the sweet corn that was put in the ground in mid April is still only 2-3 inches tall. The corn that was planted the first week of May is quickly catching up to it.  The only exception is where sweet corn was planted under plastic - that corn is about 8 inches tall. There has been little damage except for light slug damage and cutworm/sod webworm leaf feeding.  We also have vine crops and tomatoes under row cover with tomatoes starting to blossom and zucchini that should start to blossom next week.  We have been seeing flea beetles on cole crops, potatoes  and sweet corn as well as cucumber beetles in the vine crops.  We are also starting to find bean leaf beetles and onion thrips.  With temperature expected to be in the 70's and 80's next week, growers are looking at putting pumpkin seed in the ground as well as getting more tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants put out.  Soil temperatures at the 2" depth have been near 60 for the past week.

Northwest Ohio, Matt Hofelich

Planting of truck crops is well underway in Northwest, Ohio. Crops that were planted the first week of April included sweet corn which is now in the 8-10 leaf stage, cabbage and broccoli in the 6-8 leaf stage, and beets. Early May frost did not seem to have a significant impact on crops, likely due to the lake affect. Crops planted since May 1st included tomatoes, some peppers, summer squash, winter squash and snap beans. Concerning processing crops, early and mid -season tomatoes and cabbage  have and are being planted on schedule with the late season planting scheduled to go in the 1st week of June. Processing, peppers and cucumbers should start to go in the ground the first and second week of June. Lack of sunshine, and abnormally cool soil and air temperatures have continue to slow the growth of many of these crops. Drier than normal conditions during the months of April and May did allowed growers the ability to plant in a very timely manner into soils with very good moisture.   Precipitation recorded at OARDC North Central Research Station in Fremont, Ohio for the month of April was 5.02 inches while only .89 inches has been recorded thus fair in May. Overall vegetable crops look good but really need a healthy shot of warmer temperatures, sunshine, warm rainfall.

New Farmer’s Market in Akron Inviting New Participants

A new farmer’s market will begin this summer in Akron. It will be part of the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy’s farmers’ markets – the second annual Peninsula Farmers’ Market and a brand new farmers’ market at University Park in Akron.
The first Countryside Farmers’ Market is located on Heritage Farms in Peninsula, a quaint town in the midst of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This market will begin on June 18 th, 2005, and run every Saturday from 9am-1pm until mid-Autumn. Last year the market received great reviews from its vendors, customers of CFM, and the city of Peninsula. Due to these positive reviews, CVCC was asked to collaborate with the city of Akron to develop a new farmers’ market in University Park. 

This market, the Akron Farmers Market will begin on June 30th and run every Thursdays from 3 to 7pm until mid-Autumn. We expect that it will be an instant success due to its central location near the University of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal, and the fact that it will take place on the most highly trafficked street in Akron.

Countryside Farmers’ Markets are “producers only” markets, which mean that all goods sold at the market are homegrown and handmade. Vendors are currently needed, and preference is given to local people, farmers, organizations, and businesses that are sustainably conscious.  No brokerage is permitted; our vendors may be inspected to ensure that their products are produced on their farm site.  Vendors of our markets can request to participate weekly, every-other week, or occasionally. Our markets offer customers high quality, sustainably derived local and seasonal foods, art and crafts, information, and entertainment for the whole family.  CVCC’s markets stimulate the local economy by increasing public interest and awareness about the importance of supporting local products, organizations, farms, and businesses.

For more info and for applications materials please contact Jerome Rigot at 330-263-3866 or cell:330-524-5615 or e-mail at rigot.3@osu.edu