Pumpkins / Gourds
New York State ranks among the top 3 states (Illinois and Pennsylvania are the other two) in pumpkin production in the country with over 5,500 acres of production with an estimated value of $20.5 million each year (2014 Vegetable Summary). Nearly all of these are for fresh market use for either decorating or eating. The pumpkin industry is highly variable with fruit ranging from quarter pound to several hundred pounds each. Pumpkins are grown throughout NYS and are marketed through roadside stands, nursery centers and farmers markets and are also important in areas that have lots of agri-tourism. Included in this group are also other fall ornamentals such as gourds and ornamental squash. Pumpkins are susceptible to many different diseases, the most prevalent of those being Powdery Mildew, Downey Mildew and Phytopthroa blight. In the last eight years, plant breeders and seed companies have released a multitude of varieties resistant to Powdery Mildew and are widely used by growers. Another concern for growers are several different viruses which can cause plants to not produce fruit at all or results in poor fruit quality (size, color etc.). Striped Cucumber Beetles and Squash bugs remain the main insect pests. Aphids are also important because they are the primary vectors of those viruses mentioned above.Relevant Events
Chautauqua Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 10, 2023
Clymer, NY
Orleans Regional Vegetable Meeting
February 15, 2023
Albion, NY
NYS Processing Vegetable Industry Roundtable Meeting
March 15, 2023 : Morning Session: Snap Beans, Sweet Corn, and Peas
Batavia, NY
March 15, 2023 : Lunch Break and Networking
March 15, 2023 : Afternoon Session: Beets and Carrots
Batavia, NY
Video: Farmer Ingenuity - Combining Plastic and Living Mulch
In this how-to video, we show how farmers combine plastic and living mulch to reduce weed pressure, improve soil health, and harvest cleaner vegetables. Now that's a win-win-win!
Video: New York State Produce Auctions
Currently, there are 8 produce auctions in New York State. These auctions are aggregation points that allow local farmers to sell their produce in wholesale lots to buyers from across the region. To document the economic impact of produce auctions on agriculture, local businesses, family farms, and produce buyers, the Cornell Vegetable Program worked with Harvest New York to survey top sellers and buyers.
A new Cornell Vegetable Program video shares general information about produce auctions, how buyers and sellers use the auctions to expand their businesses, and how local communities benefit from them.
2017 Cucurbit Downy Mildew Management Guidelines
From Margaret McGrath, Cornell
Producing a high-quality cucurbit crop necessitates effectively managing downy mildew. This foliar disease is common in the northeast because the pathogen produces a large quantity of asexual spores that are easily dispersed long distances by wind, which enables it to spread widely. There has been no evidence that the pathogen is surviving between growing seasons where winter temperatures kill cucurbit crops (outdoors above the 30th latitude); however, recently both mating types have been found, albeit typically on different cucurbit crop types, thus there is the potential for the pathogen to produce oospores (sexual spores) that could enable the pathogen to survive in northern areas of the USA. The downy mildew forecasting program has documented based on downy mildew occurrence movement of the pathogen throughout the eastern USA each year via its wind-dispersed asexual spores. The pathogen does not affect fruit directly; however, affected leaves die prematurely which results in fewer fruit and/or fruit of low quality (poor flavor, sunscald, poor storability).
The most important component of an effective management program for downy mildew is an effective, properly-timed fungicide program. And the key to that is applying mobile fungicides targeted to the pathogen starting when there is a risk of the pathogen being present. Mobile (or translaminar) fungicides are needed for control on the underside of leaves. Each year there often are changes to the fungicides recommended as the pathogen develops resistance or new products are registered. Because these fungicides have targeted activity, additional fungicides must be added to the program when there is a need to manage other diseases such as powdery mildew. Most targeted fungicides effective for downy mildew are also effective for Phytophthora blight.
Video: Flea Beetles
Flea beetles are a common vegetable pest affecting peppers, cucurbits, sweet potato, potato, peas, beans, beets, tomato, corn, turnip, pumpkin, melon, eggplant, and others. This short video gives you some general information about this pest.
Storage Conditions for Squash
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
From Vegetable MD Online:
A chart of recommended storage conditions for different culinary types and their storage life expectancy.
2015 Pumpkin Variety Trial
In 2015, the CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program evaluated 20 pumpkin varieties including novelty, pie, medium and large Jack-O-Lantern types.
Guideline Tools: Weed Management in Cucurbits, 2015
Darcy Telenko, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
This reference sheet lists the herbicides that are labeled for cucurbits in New York and which species are controlled, as well as other important considerations and photos of weeds. While this is a handy references, it is critical to read the product labels thoroughly.
Decision-Making Guide for Bee Supplementation of Pumpkin Fields
Steve Reiners, Co-Team Leader, Cornell University
Cornell Vegetable Program
Reliance on wild bees for pumpkin production is potentially risky, but costs of supplementing fields with managed bees is increasingly expensive. Pollination service costs can be reduced by identifying scenarios, based on the background level of wild bees and attributes of the surrounding landscape, where supplementation might not be necessary. This decision-making guide will help determine scenarios where reliance on wild bees will likely provide sufficient pollination of pumpkins.
Early Pumpkin Ripening
Written by Ruth Hazzard, University of Massachusetts
Ideally, pumpkins should be harvested when fully mature, with a deep orange color and hardened rind. However, as long as pumpkins have started to turn color, they will ripen off the vine if held under the proper conditions. While not ideal, this may be preferable to leaving them in the field if conditions are not favorable.
2011 Pumpkin Herbicide Trial
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The Capital District Vegetable & Small Fruit Program evaluated current herbicides and one un-labeled herbicide for pumpkins. Weed control ratings and the cost associated with each prodcut can be found in the the full pdf.
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Chautauqua Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 10, 2023
Clymer, NY
Meeting will feature growers from Ohio sharing their production know-how and thoughts on food safety. Other topics include weed control, pesticide safety, and the impact of poor crop nutrition. 0.75 DEC credits in 1a, 23 plus 0.5 in CORE, which is good for all categories. Trade show booths available.
Meeting cost is $20/person, includes snacks and educational materials. Registration required by 4 pm on Friday, February 3.
Orleans Regional Vegetable Meeting
February 15, 2023
Albion, NY
Offering presentations in pesticide safety, tips for managing diseases in vegetable crops, how to attract beneficial insects to your field, herbicide options for cole crops, and strawberry disease information. Meeting cost is $10 per person, payable at the door via cash or check. Pre-registration requested by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 13.
DEC credits available: 2.25 in 1a and 10; 2.0 in 23; 1.5 in 22; and 0.5 in CORE (used in all categories)!!
NYS Processing Vegetable Industry Roundtable Meeting
March 15, 2023 : Morning Session: Snap Beans, Sweet Corn, and Peas
Batavia, NY
Processing vegetable industry members who grow, manage, or support snap bean, sweet corn, or pea production for Nortera and/or Seneca Foods, should attend this session of the roundtable meeting. You will:
- Network at this in-person meeting.
- Learn the results of industry-funded research.
- Have a voice in Cornell research and extension.
- Earn 2.0 DEC credits in categories 1a, 10, 23 and CCA recertification credits.
This FREE event is followed by lunch! Pre-registration requested.
March 15, 2023 : Lunch Break and Networking
Lunch is FREE to anyone attending either the Morning Session or the Afternoon Session of the NYS Processing Vegetable Industry Roundtable Meeting. Registration is required.
March 15, 2023 : Afternoon Session: Beets and Carrots
Batavia, NY
Processing vegetable industry members who grow, manage, or support beet or carrot production for Nortera, Seneca Foods and/or Love Beets, should attend this session of the roundtable meeting. You will:
- Network at this in-person meeting.
- Learn the results of industry-funded research.
- Have a voice in Cornell research and extension.
- Earn 2.0 DEC credits in categories 1a, 10, 23 and CCA recertification credits.
Lunch is provided before this session. It's FREE! Pre-registration requested.