VCR – Vegetable Crop Report – May 29, 2019

Temperature –  The cool wet spring has continued to affect temperature and degree day accumulation in many of the growing regions. Sudbury has accumulated just over half  of the growing degree days compared to its 10 year average, while Essex, Norfolk, Durham County, and Kemptville are still marginally behind their 10 year averages. Recent warm weather in the past week has brought Chatham on par with its 10 year average, while Huron County, Wellington, Simcoe County and the Peterborough regions have exceeded their 10-year temperature averages at this point. While some regions are now generally receiving average temperatures, the lack of sun, and late planting dates has slowed the growth and development of many crops in most planted areas.

Rainfall –  The May rainfall for almost all counties is now average to above-average with a couple days yet to go, matching March and April when most regions also exceeded 10-year rainfall averages. Consistent rainfall every few days combined with a lack of drying conditions (no sun/minimal wind) has generally kept fields saturated. Precipitation levels shown in the charts below for 2019 show the precipitation up to May 28^th compared to the total monthly average of the previous 10 years. Less frequent rainfall and warmer temperatures this week has allowed some fields to dry, giving some growers the opportunity to enter field to begin planting, however, seeding is still delayed and/or just occurring in many regions.

Crop Updates

Brassica Crops – Transplants are still being planted in many areas. Flea beetles have been found in some fields. The degree day threshold for cabbage maggot emergence will likely be reached in Essex and Chatham-Kent over the next week.

Carrots – The cool, wet field conditions are making it difficult to get carrots into the ground. Carrots are a cool season crop so fields that did get seeded are looking OK. The earliest planted fields are progressing nicely. Be mindful of Pythium issues in these conditions which can infect and disrupt taproot establishment. Consider an in-furrow or drench fungicide application if you don’t have any resistance issues in your fields.

Celery – Transplanting is still underway in many areas across the province and insect pressure is low. The threshold for aster leafhopper and tarnished plant bug has been reached in Essex and Chatham-Kent and will be reached in Norfolk and Kemptville over the next few days.

Garlic – Garlic plants are behind across most counties of Southwestern Ontario. Trap counts for leek moth have been sporadic and low. Seedcorn or onion maggot larvae has been identified to be the cause of wilting in a few fields.

Onions – Most acres of direct seeded onions have been planted across the province with the earliest seeded onions at the 1^st or 2^nd leaf stage. The first generation of onion and seedcorn maggot flies are active in most areas except for Sudbury and further North. Check for insect pressure by digging up wilted/stunted plants and scout for maggots or feeding damage.

Peppers – Planting began earlier this week and is about 5-7 days behind schedule

Potatoes – Potato planting continues to be a slog. Reminder for the remaining acres going into cool/wet ground: if you’re using cut seed, allow it to suberize/heal before planting, especially if you’re also using a liquid seed treatment. Be on the lookout for emergence and seed piece issues. Some of the early season disease issues that might be more likely are Rhizoctonia, blackleg and any potential seedborne late blight.

Pest Degree Day Forecasting

Select a region below for the latest weather, crop and pest degree day information:

Essex County
Chatham-Kent County
Norfolk County
Huron County
Wellington County
Simcoe County
Durham County
Peterborough
Kemptville
Sudbury

Essex County

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Chatham-Kent County

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Norfolk County

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Huron County

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Wellington County

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Simcoe County

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Durham County

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Peterborough

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Kemptville

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Sudbury

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Pest	Carrot Rust Fly	Onion Maggot	Carrot Weevil	Aster Leafhopper	Tarnished Plant Bug	Cabbage Maggot	Seedcorn Maggot
THRESHOLD	329-395	210	138-156	128	40	314	200
Essex	482	417	248	163	73	301	417
Chatham-Kent	432	368	213	132	51	260	368
Norfolk	397	338	191	116	39	236	338
Huron	292	241	121	64	17	155	241
Wellington	289	240	119	64	20	154	240
Simcoe County	280	230	112	60	17	145	230
Durham	298	248	130	78	27	163	248
Peterborough	307	256	134	73	21	170	256
Kemptville	340	289	166	103	37	203	289
Sudbury	174	139	60	29	4	80	139

Thresholds

Use these thresholds as a guide, always confirm insect activity with actual field scouting and trap counts.