New England Vegetable Management Guide 2020-2021 Edition Vegetable Crop Production from Seed to Harvest COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Cover photo credit: Farmers and Extension Educators scout onions at High Meadows Farm in Westminster, VT. Photo by: Vern Grubinger, 2014. We would like to acknowledge the support received from the USDA Risk Management Agency to assist with the revision and publication of this document. 2020-2021 New England Vegetable Management Guide GENERAL EDITOR: Katie Campbell-Nelson SECTION EDITORS: Katherine Ghantous, Weeds Becky Sideman, Cultural Practices Cheryl Smith, Diseases Anna Wallingford, Insects PRODUCTION MANAGER: Lisa McKeag CONTRIBUTORS: University of Connecticut Shuresh Ghimire, Cultural Practices Leanne Pundt, Vegetable Transplants University of Maine James Dwyer, Cultural Practices David T. Handley, Cultural Practices Mark Hutton, Cultural Practices Alicyn Smart, Diseases University of Massachusetts Katie Campbell-Nelson, Cultural Practices Genevieve Higgins, Cultural Practices Angela Madeiras, Diseases Lisa McKeag, Cultural Practices Maggie Ng, Pest Management Susan Scheufele, Cultural Practices Tom Smiarowski, Risk Management University of New Hampshire Heather Bryant, Cultural Practices Jeremy Delisle, Cultural Practices Alan Eaton, Vertebrate Pest Management George Hamilton, Cultural Practices Olivia Saunders, Cultural Practices Becky Sideman, Cultural Practices University of Rhode Island Andy Radin, Cultural Practices University of Vermont Vern Grubinger, Cultural Practices Ann Hazelrigg, Diseases Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Eric Sideman, Cultural Practices Caleb Goossen, Cultural Practices GRAPHIC DESIGN: Mickey Boisvert, MBDesign PAST CONTRIBUTORS: The following people have contributed to this publication over many years and this Guide reflects many of their contributions: Richard Ashley, A. Richard Bonnano, Ed Boutin, Jude Boucher, Kristen Castrataro, Pearly Colby, Douglas Cox, Jim Dill, Bess M. Dicklow, Zara Dowling, Alan Eaton, Wilfred Erhardt, Dave Ferro, Ruth Hazzard, Courtney Hoffman, John Howell, Frank Mangan, Dominic Marini, Dave Mason, Alden Miller, Thomas Morris, Clark Nicklow, Kaitlyn Orde, Amy Ouellette, Linc Pearson, Mike Sciabarrasi, Tina Smith, John Spargo, Otho Wells, Wil Reynolds, Robert Wick, Kristen Wilmer. About the Guide This guide is intended to assist commercial vegetable provided for diverse management systems, including large and producers by providing information on production techniques small farms, and both conventional and organic production. and pest management. Sustaining New England's vegetable Cooperative Extension and other organizations publish a farms will require that farmers make profits as well as sound variety of fact sheets, manuals, and books to assist in properly management decisions that protect the environment and managing soils and pests (see the Reference section in promote social acceptance of agriculture. We in the Cooperative Appendices, at the end of the Guide). IPM programs are Extension system are committed to providing farmers available in some states to help growers learn about scouting with the information necessary to make the best possible for pests and timing controls to get the best results. Finally, this management choices. guide is just one part of Extension's efforts to help support you, Although this guide lists nearly all pesticides labeled for use the vegetable grower. We also offer many educational meetings on vegetable crops, growers should utilize an integrated and conferences to provide you with information. We urge you management approach that considers cultural practices and to take part in these programs and to call upon us for assistance. biological interactions whenever possible. To support vegetable The Cooperative Extension System, land grant universities, and growers in this approach, this guide includes information on the United States Department of Agriculture offer education and many cultural practices and non-pesticide Integrated Pest employment for everyone without regard to race, color, national Management methods that provide the foundation for healthy origin, sex, religion, age or disability. Issued in furtherance of crops. In addition, a comprehensive section on cover crops, soil Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, fertility, and nutrient management is included. Information is in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. The New England Vegetable Management Guide is a collaborative effort of Cooperative Extension vegetable programs in the six New England states: Indrajeet Chaubey, Dean and Director of Extension Jody Jellison, Director of Extension Cooperative Extension System Center for Agriculture, UMass Extension The University of Connecticut University of Massachusetts Box U66, 1376 Storrs Road, Storrs, CT 06269-4066 319 Stockbridge Hall (860) 486-2917 80 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01002-2376 Vegetable Program website: ipm.uconn.edu/pa_vegetable (413) 545-4800 Vegetable Program website: ag.umass.edu/vegetable Deborah Sheely, Director of Cooperative Extension College of Environment and Life Sciences Hannah Carter, Dean of Cooperative Extension University of Rhode Island University of Maine 413 CBLS Building; 120 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI 02881 5741 Libby Hall, Orono, Maine 04469-5741 (401) 874-2240 207-581-3238 Vegetable Program website: web.uri.edu/coopext/vegetable-production Vegetable Program website: extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/vegetables/ Kenneth LaValley, Dean and Director of Cooperative Extension Chuck Ross, Director of Extension UNH Cooperative Extension University of Vermont Taylor Hall, 59 College Road, Durham, NH 03824-3587 Morrill Hall, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405-0106 (603) 862-4343 (802) 656-2990 Vegetable Program website: extension.unh.edu/programs/fruit-vegetable-crops Vegetable Program website: www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry Warnings and Disclaimers Important! The information in this Guide is for educational purposes. The information and recommendations presented here were updated in summer 2019 and contain the best available knowledge at the time of printing. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. Cooperative Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may be available. Refer to tables in the Pest Management section for active ingredients and trade names of pesticides referred to elsewhere in this guide. All agrichemicals/pesticides listed are registered for suggested uses in accordance with federal laws and regulations as of the date of printing. State regulations may vary. If the information does not agree with the current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law. Warning! Agrichemicals/Pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. Carefully handle and store agrichemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets and livestock. Dispose of empty containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact your State Department of Environmental Protection or similar agency for current regulations. The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage. Ordering and Downloads To purchase copies of the 2020-2021 New England Vegetable Management Guide and/or Pest ID Guide, contact your state Extension publication office, or the University of Massachusetts Extension Bookstore. Orders can be placed online at www.umassextensionbookstore.com or by phone by contacting the Extension Bookstore at (413) 545-5227. Payment can be made by credit card over our secure portal or you may mail in payment by check after placing your order. Online access to the Northeast Vegetable and Strawberry Pest Identification Guide- You may view or download the Pest ID Guide in pdf format. The 2020-2021 New England Vegetable Management Guide was produced at the University of Massachusetts Extension Vegetable Program. UMass Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. 2020-2021 New England Vegetable Table of Contents Management Guide Cultural Practices 1 Crops 115 Crop Budgets 1 Asparagus 115 Plant Nutrients 1 Basil 120 Fundamentals of Soil Health and Fertility 5 Bean: Snap, Dry, and Lima 123 Nutrient Management Regulations 9 Beet and Swiss Chard 134 Soil Testing 10 Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops 139 Carrot and Parsnip 154 Fertilizers and Soil Amendments 13 Celery and Celeriac 159 Guidelines for Organic Fertility Management 18 Corn: Ornamental and Popcorn 165 Reduced Tillage 20 Corn, Sweet 166 Crop Rotation 22 Cucumber, Muskmelon, and Watermelon 181 Cover Crops and Green Manures 23 Eggplant 193 Irrigation 26 Garlic 203 Raised Beds 30 Globe Artichoke 209 Plastic Mulch and Row Covers 31 Leek 210 High Tunnels 33 Lettuce, Endive, and Escarole 213 Estimating Vegetable Yields 35 Okra 220 Postharvest Handling and Storage 36 Onion, Scallion, and Shallot 224 Produce Safety 39 Parsley and Cilantro 231 Pea 234 Organic Certification 41 Pepper 238 Potato 250 Vegetable Transplant Production 43 Pumpkin, Squash, and Gourds 266 Types and Varieties 43 Radish 279 Growing Media and Nutrition 43 Rhubarb 283 Seeding and Transplanting 47 Rutabaga and Turnip 283 Plant Culture and Height Management 49 Salad Mix 286 Spinach 288 Transplant Disease Management 50 Sweet Potato 294 Transplant Insect