Vegetable Press

Vol. 00 No. 06 June 6, 2000

New Vicksburg
Farmers Market

The Vicksburg Factory Outlets mall is in the process of forming a Farmer's Market, with the kickoff date Saturday, June 3, and continuing through the summer.

The outlet mall has significant traffic due to its location on I-20 and its proximity to Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Jameson Inn, so this is a great opportunity for farmers to sell their goods. Rent for the farmers is FREE. The market will continue throughout the summer with the first weekend of each month being a big promotional weekend with demonstrations, livestock, etc.

For more information, please contact Marketing Assistant Liz Porter at (601) 636-7434.

 

Crystal Springs Tomato Festival & Farmers Market

Dr. Rick Snyder, Vegetable Specialist

As part of the Crystal Springs Tomato Festival, to be held on Saturday, June 24, a Farmers' Market will be held downtown in Railroad Park. At this time, I would like to solicit growers who will have produce ready to sell by late June.

Any locally grown produce is acceptable. In late June, this might include tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, summer squash, snap beans, southernpeas, butter beans, cabbage, sweet corn, cucumbers, okra, greens, watermelons, cantaloupes, herbs, shiitake mushrooms, etc. Fruit crops can also be sold. These might include blueberries, peaches, blackberries, etc.

You don't have to be a full time grower to participate in this one-time Farmers' Market. If you have enough surplus from your garden and would like to sell it, you are welcome to join in. All of the vendors who sold produce in last year's Farmers' Market did very well and most sold out.

There are, however, two requirements: 1) All produce for sale MUST be grown in Mississippi. Please do not bring fruits or vegetables from other states. 2) You must fill out and return the application. There is no fee for participants. Please fill out the application in this issue and return it to Dr. Rick Snyder, Truck Crops Research & Extension Center, P.O. Box 231, Crystal Springs, MS 39059, or fax it to (601) 892-2056. Applications need to be turned in by June 15.

More information on the Tomato Festival can be found on the internet at http://www2.msstate.edu/~ ricks/cstomato/tomfest.html .

 

Fire Ant Control

Dr. J. Pat Harris
Extension Entomologist

Fire ants are a nuisance and sometimes a very painful pest to farmers and gardeners in Mississippi. It is unlikely we will eradicate this pest any time soon, but we can remove the problems associated with them with good management. This involves reducing their populations to tolerable levels by using safe and effective methods of control.

An application of diazinon granular or liquid, broadcast and soil incorporated in early spring prior to planting will be a big step in managing these pests for gardeners. An early spring application is ideal, because it controls newly developed queens before they leave on their nuptial flights and establish new colonies. A follow-up application in midsummer and another one in the fall is generally necessary. These applications may involve an insecticide drench using diazinon or sevin. Generally, it takes 1 to 2 gallons of water to effectively drench a fire ant mount. A midmorning drench treatment is best when the sun starts warming up the colony.

Broadcast application or mound treatment with diazinon granules may be your best method of control when population densities reach an intolerable level. Granules may be picked up by foraging ants looking for food, taken back to the ant colony, passed through the food chain, and fed to queen ants. Killing queens is the only way to eliminate fire ant colonies. Granules should be applied when ground temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees F. We don't have a current fire ant bait cleared for use in gardens or vegetable crops.

Summer and fall applications should be applied in the afternoons when temperatures are cooler. Granules may rapidly degrade on hot, sunny days. By the time ants pick them up, heat may have broken down the product, losing its effectiveness. Mound drenches would be most effective and would give a quicker kill of adults and immatures.

When treating mounds with any insecticide, do not disturb mounds before treating. If you do, the colony will immediately take the queen or queens to safety, either deep down in the mound or by moving them laterally to establish satellite mounds.

Fire ant control programs are most effective when every neighbor within a community treats. Take a few minutes to use effective management techniques when controlling fire ants. In doing so, you may be able to spend several months or even a year not having to worry about them.

 

Save The Honey Bees

Dr. J. Pat Harris
Extension Entomologist

Apply pesticides after 2:00 p.m. to help preserve our honey bee populations. Bee activity is less at this time.

Sevin is one of the most toxic insecticides to honey bees.

Fired Up Over Spray Burn?

Dr. David Ingram,
Extension Plant Pathologist

If an ounce is good, then two ounces must be better, right? I don't think so. A common problem in both the commercial field and homeowner garden is mixing pesticides incorrectly or not applying them properly. On several occasions this spring, I have seen plants in the field and in greenhouses, like tomatoes, with leaves scorched at the margins and even entire leaves burned to the mid-rib or main leaf vein. Plant tissue often takes on a tan to brown coloration and may even be brittle or crunchy. Many times leaves may be curled or rolled up. These are typical symptoms associated with too much pesticide being applied to plants.

Pesticide labels (which should be read before using any product) contain specific information concerning usage rate, application methods, pests controlled or suppressed, clean up and disposal procedures, and safety precautions. Pesticides should be measured accurately. I suggest purchasing a measuring device that has gradations in ounces. Glass or plastic measuring cups work well because they can be thoroughly cleaned after each measuring operation.

A one gallon pump up sprayer works well for most small gardens, whereas larger tanks mounted on tractors are necessary for field applications. Mix only what is needed to cover the crop to be sprayed. Most pesticides are mixed for application in 15-20 gallons of water per acre. Measure pesticide accurately and according to the label rate for the particular pest you are trying to control. Excess pesticide in tanks should be disposed of properly. Refer to the label for acceptable methods.

Pay particular attention to application method. One common problem with spray applications is not putting too much pesticide in the sprayer, but applying too much of the mixture to the plant. Use the lowest pressure possible so as not to "blast" the plants, but still put out enough water for good coverage. Correct spray tip size is important because it determines the size of the droplets. Make sure complete coverage of the entire plant is obtained. Do not spray until the pesticide runs off the leaf surface. This results in over application of the pesticide. Most spray burn occurs from doing this. Make sure both the upper and lower leaf surfaces are sprayed, since many insects and diseases occur on both surfaces. Spray when environmental conditions are suitable to obtain good coverage and not risk drift off site to other crops.

Provide a place for safe pesticide storage and mixing. Read labels for safe pesticide handling procedures. Also refer to the label for chemical compatibility when combining two pesticides as a tank mix. Spray burn often occurs from combining pesticides that are incompatible chemically. Sometimes there are antagonistic responses from combining pesticides. This can result in no activity of one or both of the products. Other times, synergistic responses may occur. This results in making the mixture "hotter" than normal. This often results in spray burn. Many pesticide labels list products that can be mixed safely.

Many products suggest the addition of a surfactant. A surfactant is a chemical that reduces the surface tension on leaves and thus allows the pesticide to cover the leaf more uniformly. Some surfactants also aid in the uptake of the product into the plant. Pay attention to the type of surfactant required. Not all products use the same surfactant.

Pesticides can be useful in preventing or controlling various pests in the garden and commercial vegetable production when used properly. Always read and follow label directions carefully. Remember, the label is the law. Always keep good records of pesticide applications. This will help you keep up with how many days go by between sequential applications. It also will help in determining the time from the last spray until it is safe to harvest. Some products are labeled "restricted use" pesticides and require a license to legally apply. If you want to be trained in the correct usage of pesticides, contact your county agent. Each county usually has training sessions a couple of times during the year. They can help you in obtaining certification for using some special pesticides.

Use common sense when using pesticides and you can enjoy bountiful harvest from your garden or commercial operation.

Application to Participate in the

Crystal Springs Farmers' Market

June 24, 2000

 

Name: _____________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________

 

Town: _____________________________________________________

State: __________________________ Zip: ______________________

 

Phone: _____________________________________________________

 

 

List Vegetables You Intend to Sell: ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

 

List Fruits You Intend to Sell:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Other (cut flowers, honey, preserves, etc):

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Return this application to Dr. Rick Snyder, Truck Crops Research & Extension Center, P.O. Box 231, Crystal Springs, MS 39059, or fax it to 892-2056. Please return by June 15.

 Calendar of Coming Events _

Dr. Rick Snyder, Vegetable Specialist

June 23-24 - Crystal Springs Tomato Festival, downtown Crystal Springs, MS. For information, refer to the web site at http://www2.msstate.edu/~ricks/cstomato/tomfest.html or call Donna Wells, Crystal Springs Chamber of Commerce at (601) 892-2711.

October 13 & 14 - Fall Garden Day, Truck Crops Experiment Station, Crystal Springs, MS. For information, call (601) 892-3731 or your local Mississippi County Extension office.

 

Dr. Richard G. Snyder,

Vegetable Specialist

Truck Crops Research & Extension Center

Mississippi State University

P.O. Box 231

Crystal Springs, MS 39059

PHONE: _ (601) 892-3731

Fax: (601) 892-2056

Internet: RickS@ext.msstate.edu

Web Pages

 

Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/

North Mississippi Research & Extension Center
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/nmrec/

Greenhouse Tomato FAQ
http://ext.msstate.edu/anr/plantsoil/vegfruit/tomato/ghtomato/faq.html/

Vegetable Resource Page
http://www2.msstate.edu/~ricks/

Organic Fruit and Vegetable Web Page
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/organic/

Greenhouse Tomato Short Course
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/GHSC.htm

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