Southeast Michigan vegetable regional report – September 7, 2016
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EmailSome harvests end while others begin.
Weather
The table below presents rainfall (in inches) for the Michigan State University Enviro-weather stations in southeast Michigan. Degree-day is base 50 degrees Fahrenheit since March 1 for 2016 and the average degree-day accumulation at this point in the growing season in past years.
Rainfall and degree-day totals as of Sept. 7, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Weather station |
Rainfall (in.) last week |
Rainfall (in.) since April 1 |
Degree-days |
5-year average |
|
0 |
13.65 |
2,467 |
2,268.9 |
|
|
0 |
14.48 |
2,729 |
N/A |
|
|
0.25 |
10.56 |
2,552 |
2,403.2 |
|
|
0.13 |
12.04 |
2,557 |
2,442.4 |
|
Crops
Sweet corn harvest is wrapping up on many farms, as heat pushed production forward. Cover crops have gone in after production has wrapped up in some fields.
Cucurbit crops continue to be at risk for downy mildew and powdery mildew. Looking at reports coming out of Ohio, downy mildew is widespread in cucumbers and melons in northern Ohio, and this last week saw a report of downy mildew in pumpkins in southern Ohio. Michigan State University Extension recommends keeping an eye on your plantings, especially if you are targeting later markets. For pictures of symptomatic foliage, see “Downy Mildew Symptoms on Cucumber” by MSU. Pumpkin harvest has begun for sale purposes as well as getting them out of the sun.
The wet conditions in the last two weeks have led to instances of fruit rot in peppers. Anthracnose has appeared in some fields. Many peppers have suffered sunscald this year, which can make the fruit susceptible to secondary infections.
For potatoes and tomatoes, the Michigan Late Blight Risk Forecasting predicts high risk of late blight over the next four to five days in our area.
If you have any plants you believe may have a disease, please contact me at schuhmar@msu.edu or 517-264-5309 to schedule a pickup, or send the affected plant parts to MSU Diagnostic Services.
Meetings
- Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m., Organic Vegetable Farm Twilight Meeting at the Zilke Farm in Milan, Michigan. This workshop is focused on cultivation and organic agriculture.
- Sept. 15, Adrian Annie’s Project at the Lenawee County MSU Extension Office. Annie’s Project is for women involved with farms who want to increase their knowledge in regards to farm management and finance.
- Dec. 6-8, Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s never too early to make hotel accommodations, which often sell out early. Make sure to make an early reservation so you don’t miss this year’s exciting program.
