Past disease presence can indicate a risk for the same disease this year. Many pathogens overwinter on infected plant material or as pathogen survival structures. Poor sanitation practices can lead to an increased risk of these diseases in the upcoming…

Warmer temperatures mean spring is right around the corner, and gardeners everywhere are ready to get plants in the ground. However, prior to planting, growers should develop a plan for this year’s vegetable garden. A thoughtful approach to garden layout…

Home gardeners and commercial growers likely have placed their seed orders or have last year’s seed saved. Over the next few weeks, many will plant those seeds in order to establish transplants for spring and summer gardens. In some cases,…

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV, tobamovirus) is a new virus that has been sporadically detected across the U.S. and in Kentucky.  ToBRFV was first identified in Israel in 2014 and confirmed in the U.S. in 2018.  It was first…

Spring may feel far away, but vegetable garden planning begins during the cold months of winter. Seed catalogs, store displays, and online retailers present a number of different options (Figure 1). However, successful production begins with the selection of the…

On August 16, 2022 cucurbit downy mildew was confirmed on cucumber in south-central Kentucky. Cucurbit downy mildew has also been reported in neighboring states Tennessee and Ohio.  Disease is likely widespread across the area. Hosts & Symptoms Cucurbit downy mildew…

Cucurbit downy mildew is the most economically important disease of cucurbits in Kentucky. All cucurbits, such as cucumber, cantaloupe, summer and winter squashes, pumpkin, and watermelon are susceptible. Cucurbit downy mildew affects plant leaves, and severe infections can result in…

Powdery mildew is a common disease of all cucurbits, such as cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins, and watermelons. This disease can occur in greenhouses, high tunnels, commercial fields, and home gardens. Cultural management practices can reduce losses from this disease.   Cucurbit…

While this seems to be a typical year for many of our vegetable pests, there are three groups of arthropod pests that are more common with hot dry weather: spider mites, whiteflies, and thrips. For each of these pests, it…

A question many home vegetable gardeners might ask themselves is: Should I spray my vegetable crops to control insect pests?  In some years, it seems like pests appear almost out of nowhere and ruin the anticipated harvest. Particularly with rising…