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Pesticide Math Online Training
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley - Idaho
Posted on: August 17, 2020 by Nic Usabel
The UI Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program has produced three educational online training courses available for pesticide applicators, Master Gardeners, and homeowners. The Calculate Pesticides series includes real-world pesticide calculations in the following courses:
1) General Math – review basic math concepts needed for calculating pesticides.
2) Using Sprayers – develop math skills for calibrating yourself to application equipment.
3) Application Rates – identify the math formulas necessary to calculate pesticide application rates.
Simply, create your account at the National eXtension website by using this address https://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=1588 (also linked below). Each user must have their own identification name and password. Once you confirm your free account, you will have unlimited access to these online educational materials. If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Tate at ktate@uidaho.edu.
Corn Earworm Counts - 8/16/20
Corn Treasure Valley
corn earworm
Posted on: August 16, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Click on the pdf below for the corn earworm moth counts from this morning, August 16. There are still moths around this week, but there is less fresh silk for them to lay eggs in. The traps have been removed from the fields, there will be no more moth counts this growing season.
University of Idaho Small Grains Extension Variety Trial Results Are Available
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: August 13, 2020 by Juliet Marshall
https://cropalerts.org/news/
It's harvest time for small grains!
The Preliminary Extension Variety Trial Results will be posted to https://cropalerts.org/news/ as they become available. If you wish to receive announcements via email, please email me at jmarshall@uidaho.edu
Currently, Kimberly Winter Wheat, Rupert Spring wheat and Rupert spring barley results are posted.
Also, if you haven't gotten a chance to view the Southeastern Idaho Cereal Variety VIRTUAL Field Day, the presentations are also available at both Crop Alerts and my cereals homepage.
August 13, 2020 Psyllid Monitoring Update
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: August 13, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 64 of the 65 fields (98%) monitored this year; one field has been vine killed and will no longer be monitored. We found a total of 181 psyllids across 25 (39%) of the 64 fields. Of the 181 psyllids captured, 115 psyllids (63%) were found across 3 fields at University of Idaho Kimberly Research Center (KREC). Because this is an unusually high number of psyllids, we will only be testing a subset for Lso at this time.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1 field), Canyon (8 fields), Owyhee (1 field), Gem (1 field), Elmore (2 fields), Gooding (1 field), Jerome (1 field), Twin Falls (8 fields), and Power (2 fields).
From last week’s samples, no psyllids tested positive for Lso (liberibacter), the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC).
“Heat maps” of this week’s results are included on the UI and WSU websites (see links below). “Heat maps” describe predicted psyllid densities across the landscape, based on our trap counts and on predictive models developed over six years of psyllid monitoring in Idaho. The heat maps graphically reflect the relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in some fields in Twin Falls County.
Total psyllid captures were higher this week; however, captures for most fields were lower, and this increase can be attributed to surprisingly high captures at KREC. Captures were relatively high in a few other Magic Valley fields, though not to the extent observed at KREC. The reason for this is not clear. We continue to urge growers to have their IPM programs in place.
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
Corn Earworm Counts - 8/12/20
Corn Treasure Valley
corn earworm
Posted on: August 12, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Click on the pdf below for the corn earworm moth counts from this morning, August 12. There are quite a few more moths this week. There are corn earworm moths around the valley, scouting on a more localized basis is still probably a good thing to do.
On-line resources to help minimize potato bruise at harvest
Potato All Locations
Posted on: August 10, 2020 by Nora Olsen
Potato harvest is upon us in Idaho and new on-line resources are available at the University of Idaho to help in bruise and quality management. Written and video resources can be found at www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/bruise-management.
A new bulletin on ‘Monitoring tools for a potato bruise prevention program’ is now posted. This bulletin highlights tools or methods to quickly identify where in harvest and handling operation potatoes may experience physical impacts that cause blackspot and shatter bruises. The bulletin outlines a relatively simple and quick way to detect shatter bruises with the use of an iodine solution. The coloration of the shatter bruises makes it easy to determine the number and severity of the bruises. Although blackspots bruises take time to develop, recent research on Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah indicates the ability to see a majority of the bruises within 3-5 hours after harvest. Peeling potatoes to identify early blackspot bruise symptoms is a useful monitoring tool that can help pinpoint equipment that needs to be adjusted. Another option is to run an instrumented sphere though your operation to measure the acceleration of an impact. The shape and size of the instrumented sphere mimics a potato, making it very useful tool to help identify handling equipment that may be at higher risk for bruising. Monitoring shatter and blackspot bruise levels during harvest and handling operations with the tools outlined in this bulletin provides opportunities to modify equipment and conditions; and also to identify lots or fields that have a greater degree of bruise. Training videos are also available on the website. These 3-minutes videos highlight how to run and operate equipment associated with harvest and handling of potatoes in order to prevent bruising and maximize crop quality. Available videos include:
- Windrower operation (English and Spanish)
- Harvester operation (English and Spanish)
- Moving potatoes from truck to piler (English)
- Best practices for piling potatoes (English and Spanish)
- Unloading potatoes out of storage (English)
Psyllid Update August 6, 2020
All Crops All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: August 6, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 64 of the 65 fields (98%) monitored this year; one field has been vine killed and will no longer be monitored. We found a total of 132 psyllids across 31 (48%) of the 64 fields, though we are still waiting for traps from one site in Canyon county.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1 field), Canyon (9 fields), Owyhee (2 field), Gem (2 fields), Elmore (4 fields), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (10 fields), and Oneida (1 field).
From last week’s samples, no psyllids tested positive for Lso (liberibacter), the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). We are waiting on results for 2 psyllids (1 each from Gem and Minidoka counties), which we should have next week.
“Heat maps” of this week’s results are included on the UI and WSU websites (see links below). “Heat maps” describe predicted psyllid densities across the landscape, based on our trap counts and on predictive models developed over six years of psyllid monitoring in Idaho. The heat maps graphically reflect the relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in some fields in the Treasure Valley and around Twin Falls.
Psyllid captures were slightly higher this week, though similar to total captures during early August last year. We continue to urge growers to have their IPM programs in place.
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
corn earworm counts - 8/5/2020
Corn Treasure Valley
corn earworm
Posted on: August 5, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Click on the pdf below for the corn earworm moth counts from this morning, August 5. There are more moths this week, but the counts are still not real high. There are corn earworm moths around the valley, scouting on a more localized basis is still probably a good thing to do.
Welcome Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D. as U of I new Weed Scientist
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: August 4, 2020 by Nora Olsen
The University of Idaho welcomes Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D. as our new Weed Scientist located at the Kimberly Research and Extension Center. In his new role, Albert will be studying and disseminating information on best weed management practices in agronomic crops, mainly: sugarbeet, dry beans, corn, and small grains. Currently, Albert’s research and extension program is focused on weed seedhead suppression, identifying weed-suppressive cover crops and optimal seeding and termination timing, and assessing the use of integrated weed management approaches to reduce the selection of herbicide-resistant weeds.
Please reach out to Albert with any weed questions or issues in your crops. In addition, Albert is looking for sugar beet fields where there are weed escapes to estimate seed production and screen for resistance. Please contact Albert if you have weeds in your sugar beet fields. His contact is aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu and 208-423-6616.
2020 Blossom Drop on Tomatoes and Peppers
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Blossom Drop
Posted on: August 3, 2020 by Nic Usabel
Blossom drop during this time of year is generally associated with temperature changes. Pollen becomes sterile during hot weather. Blossom drop and/or lack of fruit set can also be caused by too much nitrogen and water stimulating leaf growth over fruit set.
Tomatoes will experience blossom drop when evening temperature drop below 55 degrees or daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees for an extended period. Cherry type tomatoes can set fruit over a wider range of temperatures as compared to larger fruited types.
Pepper blossoms are found to be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations during the stage of pollination. Blossoms can fall off before pollination when temperatures fall below 58 degrees and daytime temperatures rise above 85 degrees.
Remember that deep and infrequent watering is best.
» https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/why-vegetables-drop-blossoms
UI Ag Talk Tuesday August 4 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (MT)
All Crops All Locations
General announcment
Posted on: July 31, 2020 by Kasia Duellman
Join us this Tuesday August 4 at 11:00 AM (MT)) for our next Ag Talk Tuesday session. Current updates on crop pests and diseases are provided by UofI and industry participants, folllowed by one or two featured topics. For the next session, Ben Eborn will present on Markets and Lide Chen will talk about her work regarding manure, compost, and nutrients. See https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html for more information.
Registration is required.
If you have not yet registered for the 2020 Ag Talk Tuesday sessions, register here: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
» https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
Black Bean Aphid -2020
Sugarbeets Magic Valley
Black Bean Aphid
Posted on: July 31, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
The Amalgamated Sugar Company field consultants are reporting that Black Bean Aphids have been found in sugarbeet fields near Hazelton, ID. Insecticides for Black Bean Aphid and Fungicides for Powdery Mildew can be tank mixed; however, TASCO has some concerns about the amount of water carrier used when these products are applied by air. TASCO asks that you contact your crop consultant if you have any application questions. Click on the link below for more information about Black Bean Aphid in the Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/agronomic/sugar-beet/sugar-beet-aphid
Another Lso-positive psyllid
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 30, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 65 of the 65 fields (100%) monitored this year; we found a total of 114 psyllids across 28 (43%) of the 65 fields.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1 field), Canyon (10 fields), Owyhee (1 field), Gem (2 fields), Elmore (2 fields), Gooding (1 field), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (7 fields), Minidoka (1 fields), and Power (1 field).
From last week’s samples, one psyllid (collected in Twin Falls County) tested positive for Lso (liberibacter), the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). This is the second observation of an Lso-positive psyllid in our monitoring program in as many weeks. Overall incidence of Lso still remains relatively low (about 1% through last week).
“Heat maps” of this week’s results are included on the UI and WSU websites (see links below). “Heat maps” describe predicted psyllid densities across the landscape, based on our trap counts and on predictive models developed over six years of psyllid monitoring in Idaho. The heat maps graphically reflect the relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in the Western Treasure Valley.
Psyllid captures were higher this week, though similar to total captures during late July to early August last year. Given this increase and the additional observation of an Lso-positive psyllid, we continue to urge growers to have their IPM programs in place.
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
Corn Earworm Counts - 7/29/20
Corn Treasure Valley
corn earworm
Posted on: July 29, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Below are the corn earworm moth counts from this morning, July 29. At this time there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of corn earworm moths around the valley. I will check the traps again in a few days to see if the numbers increase.
Location, Date, 29-Jul
West of Caldwell 7
South of Nampa 4
Melba 8
SouthWest of Homedale 0
West of Wilder 0
West of Notus 8
Middleton 1
2020 Peach Twig Borer, Second Generation
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Peach Twig Borer (Anarsia lineatella)
Posted on: July 24, 2020 by Nic Usabel
The second generation of peach twig borer will begin egg hatch today. Current degree day models indicate 1182 as of July 23. Second generation cover sprays begin at 1200 DD, currently forecasted for today. First cover sprays for second generation should be applied now.
For management control options review the PNW Handbook link below to select a control option appropriate for the operation. Apply according to label directions.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peach-twig-borer
» https://climate.usu.edu//includes/pestFactSheets/Peach-Twig-Borer.pdf
First Lso-positive psyllids in 2020 Idaho monitoring
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 23, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 59 of the 65 fields (91%) monitored this year (though we have not yet received traps from 6 of these fields); we found a total of 83 psyllids across 28 (53%) of the 53 fields with data.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Canyon (12 fields), Owyhee (2 fields), Gem (2 fields), Elmore (3 fields), Jerome (1 field), Twin Falls (7 fields), Minidoka (2 fields), and Oneida (1 field).
From last week’s samples, two psyllids tested positive for Lso (liberibacter), the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). These hot psyllids were collected from two different fields: one in Twin Falls and one in Jerome County. This is the first observation of Lso-positive psyllids in our monitoring program this year. This is about one week and two weeks later than the first observation of Lso-positive psyllids during 2019 and 2018, respectively.
“Heat maps” of this week’s results are included on the UI and WSU websites (see links below). “Heat maps” describe predicted psyllid densities across the landscape, based on our trap counts and on predictive models developed over six years of psyllid monitoring in Idaho. These maps, developed in collaboration with WSU, should be used as a guideline, but not a definitive count of the number of insects in any given field at any given point in time. “Low,” “Moderate,” “High,” and “Very High” designations are arbitrary categories that illustrate relative abundance and should not be used as “thresholds.” More details on the “heat maps” can be found in Potato Progress Volume XVII, Number 2, 15 February 2017.
Psyllid captures were a bit higher this week, though similar to total captures during late July to early August last year. Given this increase and the first observation this year of Lso-positive psyllids in Idaho, we urge growers to have their IPM programs in place.
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
Powdery Mildew, Cercospora Leaf Spot and Spider Mites near Twin Falls
Sugarbeets Magic Valley
Powdery Mildew, Cercospora Leaf Spot and Spider Mites
Posted on: July 22, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
Powdery mildew and spider mites have been found by The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC Crop Consultants in sugarbeet fields in the Twin Falls, ID area. There are several fungicides available for use to treat powdery mildew. Depending on the disease pressure and chemistry used, applications with different chemistries should be repeated every 14-21 days. Please be advised that strobilurins could show reduced efficacy due to fungicide resistance. Always tankmix with at least 5 lbs of sulfur for resistance management purposes.
TASCO is also reporting they have confirmed Cercospora leaf spot in a sugarbeet field near Twin Falls. We have reached critical temperatures but relative humidity is still low, however overhead irrigation can artificially increase relative humidity and therefore increase infection potential. Fields in close proximity to last year’s infected fields, or back to back sugarbeet fields are especially at risk. Please contact your local AMSCO agriculturist for fungicide recommendations based on last year’s fungicide resistance survey.
Contact your Crop Consultant from The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC if you have any questions.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/sugar-beet-beta-vulgaris-powdery-mildew
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/sugar-beet-beta-vulgaris-cercospora-leaf-spot
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/agronomic/sugar-beet/sugar-beet-spider-mite
UI Ag Talk Tuesday July 21 at 11:00 AM
All Crops All Locations
General announcment
Posted on: July 20, 2020 by Kasia Duellman
Join us for the next Ag Talk Tuesday, July 21 at 11:00 Am.
Crop updates will be given by willing participants, followed by our featured topic presented by Dean Michael Parrella (University of Idaho - Collage of Agriculture and Life Sciences).
Pre-Registration is required. To register, click the link below:
Register here: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAkc-uvqTwpZF4DlEg_ZcN8xYE9ezZSkQ
(You only need to register one time to attend all 2020 sessions.)
More information can be found here:
https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
» https://webpages.uidaho.edu/extension-seed-potato/ATT.html
Corn Earworm - 2020
Corn Treasure Valley
corn earworm
Posted on: July 20, 2020 by Jerry Neufeld
I am once again collaborating with Charter Seed Co. and Crookham Co. on a project to trap corn earworm moths. Traps will be set out in corn fields at various locations near Kuna, Melba, Middleton, Wilder, Homedale, and Caldwell. I will check the traps every few days and post the moth counts to this website.
The online Phenology and Degree Day Model (GDD) from Oregon State University is being used to estimate when the summer generation of corn earworm moths will emerge. This is the generation of moths that lay eggs in corn that is silking at the time when they emerge. The link to the GDD calculator for Corn Earworm is below.
The GDD model uses January 1 as a biofix, 55 and 92 as the temperature parameters. Summer moths will emerge after 1300 GDD have accumulated. These moths will then begin laying eggs in fresh corn silk. This model also estimates the eggs will hatch and larvae will begin feeding on corn ears 73 GDD later. According to this model, we will reach 1300 GDD in the Caldwell area about July 29, and will reach 1300 GDD in the Parma area about July 30. Egg laying in most, if not all, Treasure Valley locations will take place in this approximate time frame. Larval feeding will begin 3 to 4 days later.
Traps will go out in a couple of days. The first moth counts will be posted a few days after the traps are set out.
The links below will take you to the websites where you can use the growing degree day model and also view various treatment methods based on the type of corn that you are growing.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable-seed/corn/corn-seed-corn-earworm-sweet-corn-only
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/hosts-pests/corn-sweet-corn-earworm
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/agronomic/field-silage-corn/field-silage-corn-corn-earworm
2020 Virtual Potato Association of American Annual Meeting - July 20-22
Potato All Locations
Posted on: July 17, 2020 by Jeff Miller
Due to COVID-19, the Potato Association of America is holding its 2020 annual meeting online. This provides an excellent opportunity for more people to watch the presentations who have not been able to do so in the past.
The Virtual Annual Meeting will take place the afternoons of Monday, July 20th - Wednesday, July 22nd.
You are invited to join us online for educational sessions, poster presentations, and a LIVE Graduate Student Competition, all from the safety and comfort of your own home or office.
Registration is now available online! Limited spots available.
Delegates - $50 registration fee.
Program details and registration can be found at https://amr.swoogo.com/paa2020
As you browse the schedule of events, please note that all times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)!
Psyllid Update July 16, 2020
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 16, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 56 of the 65 fields (86%) monitored this year and we found a total of 42 psyllids across 22 (39%) of the 56 fields.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1 field), Canyon (4 fields), Gem (2 fields), Elmore (1 field), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (9 fields), Cassia (1 field), Power (1 field), and Oneida (1 field).
The remaining 9 fields (across Bingham and Power counties) had traps deployed in them this week, and we will report data from them next week.
Lso testing of last week’s psyllids has been delayed. We plan to report Lso results next week.
There was also an issue with the generation of “heat maps” that we expect to have resolved by next week.
Psyllid captures were similar to last week and similar to this time last year, though we urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the coming weeks.
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
2020 Apple Codling Moth, Second Generation
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)
Posted on: July 14, 2020 by Nic Usabel
The second generation of codling moth will begin egg hatch this week. Current degree day models report 1072 DD as of July 12. Beginning egg hatch begins at 1100 DD, currently forecasted for July 14.
Rotate among insecticide classes between generations to prevent development of insecticide resistance. Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.
This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth
» https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall
» https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/
Psyllid Update July 9, 2020
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllid
Posted on: July 9, 2020 by Lucy Standley
This week we had traps deployed in 56 of the 65 fields (86%) monitored this year and we found a total of 44 psyllids across 22 (39%) of the 56 fields.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Payette (1 field), Canyon (6 fields), Gem (2 fields), Elmore (3 fields), Jerome (1 field), Twin Falls (8 fields), and Minidoka (1 field).
From the last two week’s samples, so far 0 psyllids have tested positive for Lso (liberibacter), the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). However, we still have one psyllid from last week (collected from Twin Falls county) with pending Lso results.
We apologize for not having “heat maps” yet this week. We expect to have them generated before next week’s update and posted on our website.
Thus far, psyllid captures are similar to this time last year, though we urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the coming weeks.
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
2020 Squash Bug
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Squash Bug (Anasa tristis)
Posted on: July 8, 2020 by Nic Usabel
Squash bugs have been reported in Canyon County by an Idaho Master Gardener and University of Idaho personnel. It is time to check the underside of cucurbit (pumpkins and squash are most attractive) leaves for the bronze colored egg clusters. In addition, monitor plants for nymphs, adults and plants wilting.
MANAGEMENT
Wooden boards, shingles, or heavy cardboard can be placed on the ground next to the host plant. Squash bugs tend to move under the board/object at night. In the morning, turn the boards over and destroy the pest.
Hand-pick and destroy adults, nymphs, or egg clusters. Other options include rolled duct tape around fingers to pull off egg clusters, cutting off the egg part of the leaf or applying petroleum jelly directly to the eggs. Increased success is achieved when started early in the season and done every 2 to 3 days to keep numbers low.
Cultural methods include sanitation, plating squash varieties that are more tolerant of squash bug feeding, crop rotation, and time of planting.
Additional control methods can be found in the publications linked below.
» https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/common-vegetable/vegetable-crop-squash-bug
» https://extension.usu.edu/juab/ou-files/ENT-120-08.pdf
2020 Turfgrass Mowing Height & Watering
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Posted on: July 7, 2020 by Nic Usabel
MOWING
The weather will be warming and now is the time to check the mowing height at which your turfgrass is cut. Increasing the length of grass blade encourages a deeper root growth and provides more shade cover of the soil surface reducing water evaporation.
For summer mowing height Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are recommended to be maintained at 3 inches, perennial ryegrass at 2 inches, and tall fescue at 4 inches. Ensure that the mower blade is sharp and follow the one-third rule; remove no more than one-third of the leaf growth each mowing.
Grass clipping which are left on the lawn by mulching decompose quickly, feed soil organisms, recycle plant nutrients, and increase organic matter in the soil.
WATERING
The goal of irrigation is to keep the lawn healthy when rainfall is not dependable. The key is to moisten the top 12 inches of the root zone. Watering deeply (10 to 12 inches) but infrequently produces healthy turf. Practicing deep watering reduces weed populations, benefits landscape trees and shrubs, increases water use efficiency, and forces an exchange of soil atmosphere with each irrigation. Early morning is the best time to water.
Determining how deep irrigation water goes can be done by using a soil probe or shovel to check soil moisture the day after irrigation. At 10 to 12 inches deep the soil should feel slightly damp. If the soil feels dry at the 10- to 12-inch depth increase the duration of water application to fill the root zone. As weather conditions change adjust the frequency of irrigation to maintain plant available water in the root zone.
Identifying or knowing soil type will help to determine the frequency of water application, rate of water infiltration, and the soils water holding capacity. For example, heavy clay soils have a greater water holding capacity, but have a slower infiltration rate (speed at which water enters the soil). These soils can be watered less frequently (once a week or less) and may need multiple application of water on day of watering to allow water to move into the soil. Sandy soils have less water holding capacity and a greater infiltration rate. These soils need to be watered more frequently to maintain comparable turf.
For a more calculated approach to water application reference the publication links below.
» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1098.pdf
» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1157.pdf
