Virginia Cooperative Extension - Knowledge for the CommonWealth

July-August 2004; Volume 3, Issue 4

Table of Contents

Click here to download a printable version of Virginia Vegetable, Small Fruit and Specialty Crops Newsletter - PDF format

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS FROM THE EDITOR
Tony Bratsch, VA Tech Horticulture

Welcome to the 2004 July/August issue of the VVSFSC newsletter. Hard to believe we are on the downside of the growing season. It has been a busy summer here at VT Kentland Farm with various field projects. In March we started with a cabbage variety trial, conducted in conjunction with the University of Tennessee at 3 locations, harvested through June and early July. In August we have more planting to go, with a fall broccoli systems experiment, and in September will plant another sustainable garlic project. Our colored bell pepper trial is on for one more year, with a focus on biological insect control (ECB) using the Trichogramma wasp, and new is an experiment with growth regulator use in globe artichoke. We are still working out systems for growing this unique crop. Additional fall broccoli work includes a density trial on black plastic, and a variety trial. We also have a wide array of varietal observations of various vegetable crops, to be used for class materials in a fall vegetable crops class here at VT. We have finished evaluations of Actiguard on strawberries, and last years over-wintered trial of garlic varieties and culture in an organic system. Look for those reports in future issues.

As we approach the first of August, it becomes extension impact reporting time for those of us working in extension at VT. I took time this year to tally up hits on the internet with this newsletter over the past fiscal year. I came away impressed at the capacity of electronic media. Over the past year, every newsletter issue was accessed anywhere from 500-600 times. More interesting, we extract various subject matter articles from the newsletter and post in specific categories in another area of the VCE resource site. We had well over 3000 total hits on individual articles written this year, and for other subject matter articles from this newsletter compiled since 1994, over 75,000 information seekers. Was very informative to look at what type of articles you folks are accessing, which gives us good indication of what you are interested in. For example, an older article by Charlie O'Dell on slant deer fences gets good "press", over a thousand hits in a year. In contrast my article on GAPs food safety was, lets say, not nearly as popular with only ten hits since I wrote it. However, my article last fall on garlic planting was accessed over 800 times. Welcome to the electronic age.

There are a number of great contributions for this issue and I would like to thank all who took the time to pen an article: Chris Mullins from VSU, Vonny Barlow, a graduate student working with ECB pepper trials, Michael Lachance VCE Horticulture agent in Nelson county, and from out of state Chuck Voigt (U of I) and Elsa Sanchez (Penn State). I also gleaned key updates on vegetable crop pest management from the "Virginia Crop Pest Advisory", a weekly newsletter from Tom Kuhar and staff at the Eastern Shore AREC. Though these advisories are things recently "past", they are excellent reference for all who grow vegetable crops to file away for future (and maybe current) use.

Enjoy the newsletter, as always we welcome your comments and suggestions

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SPECIALTY MUSKMELONS
Chris Mullins, Virginia State University

Cantaloupe or muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production is an important vegetable crop in Virginia. In 2001, Virginia producers grew 800 acres of cantaloupes valued at $1.4 million. However, there is much diversity in this group, with more types of melons than the traditional orange flesh cantaloupes and each having unique flavors, textures, and appearance. Some of these specialty melons have potential for small-scale production and direct marketing. Some of many types are:

Charentais melon
A popular European melon, also called a French melon. It has a smooth or slightly netted, gray-green rind with dark green, slightly furrowed sutures. Flesh is very sweet, firm, and deep orange. Fruit is slightly elongated, but mostly globe shaped. Size is 3-4" and 1.5-2.5 lbs. Observations from our early plantings indicate that fruit cracking can occur when the fruit is left on the vine for optimum sweetness. It's a favorite in our early taste tests. Some varieties are 'Savor', and 'Edonis'.

Japanese melon
This type generally refers to the high-priced greenhouse grown gift melon found in Japan, but it can be field produced in Virginia. These melons are round or slightly oval, very sweet, about 7-8", 3-4 lbs and extremely well-netted green rind. Flesh is most often green, very sweet, and firm. Fruit should be harvested prior to the slip stage. Some varieties are 'Emerald Jewel' and 'Emerald Sweet'.

Galia melon
Originally produced in Israel and very popular in Europe, this melon is fragrant with soft green flesh and yellow well-netted rind. The rind goes from green to yellow when ripe. Fruit should be harvested prior to the slip stage. Galia melons in our early observations have been around 5 lbs. Some varieties are 'Arava' and 'Lavigal'.

Oriental crisp-flesh melon
Oriental melons have been popular in the Far East for thousands of years, but are a relatively new melon in the United States. There are two types of oriental melons. One type is sweet, the other bland and often used for pickling. The sweet melons can be oblong or round, and rind color is yellow, green, or white when ripe, depending on type. Fruits of most varieties are relatively small averaging less than 2 lbs. Most have white flesh that is crisp. Some varieties are 'New Century' and 'Jade Flower'.

Each of these melon types have unique textures, flavors, and vary in their sweetness. Some have more sweetness and flavor than the traditional cantaloupe. However, there are a few issues to overcome with the melons. Most have a short shelf-life and therefore would be most appealing to growers able to direct market at roadside stands, farmers markets, or from the farm. Also, as most consumers are familiar with traditional cantaloupes, acceptance of a different (sometimes odd looking) product can call for creative marketing. Determination of the optimum time to harvest can also be a challenging production issue with these melons.

At VSU's Randolph Farm and at two farms in southside Virginia, we are testing six varieties for yield, fruit quality, and overall production and marketing information. In a future issue of this newsletter the results of the trials will be published.

For more information:
Chris Mullins, Virginia State University, PO Box 9081, Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 524-5834; e-mail: cmullins@vsu.edu

References
Reddy, M. R., C. E. Niedziela. 2003. Specialty Melon Variety Trial 2002. Virginia Vegetable, Small Fruit and Specialty Crops Newsletter. 2:2.

Schultheis, J.R., W.R. Jester, and N.J. Augostini. 2002. Screening melons for adaptability in North Carolina. p. 439-444. In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.), Trends in new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 2002. Virginia Agriculture

Statistics Bulletin and Resource Directory 2001. Va Agr Stat Serv. Richmond, Va. 54.

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SAMPLING FOR EUROPEAN CORN BORER IN BELL PEPPER
Vonny Barlow, Tom Kuhar & John Speese III
Department of Entomology
Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most economically important pests of agricultural crops in much of the eastern and central United States. O. nubilalis is particularly damaging to sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) because it causes direct injury to the fruit, premature fruit ripening, and fruit rot, a result of pathogens such as Erwinia carotovora entering the feeding wound.

Effective control of O. nubilalis in peppers is only achieved by multiple preventative insecticide applications, often with little or no knowledge of the pest density in the field. Sampling for O. nubilalis could reduce the number of insecticide applications as part of an overall Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. However, quantifying O. nubilalis larvae in the plant canopy can be difficult due to their small size and propensity to quickly bore into plant tissue (Fig. 1), often the fruit, where they are protected from chemical sprays.

The monitoring of egg masses may be a better way to quantify O. nubilalis for developing an IPM scouting program. As a result, we attempted to identify likely areas of O. nubilalis egg masses within the plant canopy allowing more accurate estimation of O. nubilalis population numbers in the field. We collected a total of 362 O. nubilalis egg masses on pepper plants during our study. The results were that only three egg masses (0.8%) were found on plant structures other than a leaf, including one on a stem and two on fruit. Over 93% of egg masses were found on the lower surface of the leaf compared with the upper surface indicating a significant egg laying preference for the undersides of leaves (Fig. 2). This may be a strategy to reduce egg mortality from fluctuating environmental conditions as well as predation by natural enemies. No differences were found in the observed distribution of egg vertically throughout the plant (Fig. 3). This suggests that O. nubilalis does not have a vertical preference for oviposition in the canopy of a bell pepper plant which is similar to findings in sweet corn that showed a uniform vertical distribution of O. nubilalis egg masses on plants. Possibly the uniform egg mass deposition within the plant canopy is a strategy to minimize intraspecific competition by O. nubilalis for food resources.

In summary, we conclude that O. nubilalis females primarily (>93% of the time) oviposit on the undersides of leaves on pepper plants, but with no apparent preference for vertical region on the plant. An egg sampling strategy for O. nubilalis in peppers should concentrate on the underside of leaves on all regions of the plant.


Fig. 1. ECB larvae tunneling in plant stem.


Fig 2. Mean percentage (± SEM) of Ostrinia nubilalis egg masses found on the upper and lower leaf surface of pepper plants


Fig. 3. Mean percentage (± SEM) of Ostrinia nubilalis egg masses distributed vertically within the pepper canopy

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PRODUCE AUCTIONS EXPAND MARKETING OPTIONS
Michael Lachance, Commercial Horticulture Agent Lovingston Virginia

Amish, Mennonite, and other "plain folk" communities have developed nearly fifty produce auctions across the Middle Atlantic and Northeastern states, thus optimizing their wholesaling strategies. It may be a model well worth adopting if your production exceeds what you can dispose of through retail sales. These auctions have succeeded because of their members' commitment to long term success. Week after week they market good supplies of quality produce regardless of price swings. They know that their auction offers a resource for both individuals and families to efficiently market to the growing demand for "local" produce. These auctions allow buyers to know who has grown the produce and how fresh it is. Among the produce auctions in eastern USA, nearly all report 95% or more of their offerings as locally grown.

Produce auctions attract buyers by establishing a reputation for quality products in good supply. Product mix changes as the season progresses, starting with bedding plants and hanging baskets in the spring and moving into fruit and vegetables as the weeks progress. Even nursery stock has been marketed by these means.

Matthew Ernst, Extension associate for the University of Kentucky has written a case study of Fairview Produce Auction, Inc., U.Ky Pub. AEC-EXT 2001-06. That auction began when five members of the Fairview Mennonite community agreed to form a preliminary board of directors and craft the legal structure for a Subchapter-S corporation. The necessary capital was raised by sell of stock to producer members after the articles of corporation were adopted. The funds were used to purchase 15 acres of land and erect a steel building. The building was designed to facilitate easy docking and included an open-sided auction floor, warehouse and office space. After securing an auction house license, business has steadily grown from 10% commissions on produce, sales of packaging materials to its sellers and separate consignment sales of equipment in the spring and fall. Other produce auctions have realized income from routine sales of hay and grains.

An auction needs to have adequate facilities, enough growers committed to supplying volume, an assurance of produce quality and packaging acceptable to the following resellers: independent groceries, roadside produce stands, garden centers, restaurants, and individuals. Growers who operate farm stands often return home with products as well.

Gemuse Verkaufhause, available from Schlaback Printers, 1-888-406-2665, provides contact information and status of produce auctions in several states. Most auctions have fifty or more growers involved and do approximately five hundred thousand dollars in annual sales, excluding the top four auctions listed, who have sales between one and three million dollars. Auction facilities vary in size but many have covered areas of 9000 square feet or more.

You can determine if a produce auction might be appropriate for your marketing plans by visiting an active one at different times of year. To learn more about auctions in North Carolina, contact Carl Cantiluppi at 919-603-1350 / carl_cantaluppi@ncsu.edu. Dr. Bratsch, 540-231-1432 / abtratsch@vt.edu, or I, 434-263-4035 / lachance@vt.edu, will be happy to steer you towards similar auctions in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Finally, if you are interested in the development of a produce auction serving the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia, call Eric Bendfeldt at 540-564-3080/ebendfel@vt.edu.

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THE ORGANIC WAY - SELECTING GREEN MANURE CROPS FOR SOIL FERTILITY
Elsa Sanchez, Assistant Professor of Horticultural Systems Management Department of Horticulture, Penn State University

Editors note: With organic production, management of fertility is a critical issue, and use of green manures is a primary tool to deliver needed nitrogen and other crop nutrients. The following article by Dr. Sanchez is reprinted from the Vegetable and Small Fruit Gazette, Penn State Dept. of Horticulture, which can be found online at: http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/extension/vegcrops/newsletterlist.html

In organic growing the philosophy behind soil fertility is to feed the soil and the soil in turn will feed the cash crop. Cover crops, green manures, animal manures and sound crop rotations are used to improve and/or maintain soil fertility. This article focuses on the use of green manures.

Green manures are crops that are turned into the soil while they are young and succulent, rather than harvested, to improve the organic matter content. As the organic matter is decomposed nutrients are released that can be used by subsequent crops. Several factors influence the release of nutrients from green manure crops including soil temperature and moisture and placement. In general, nutrient release will be slower at lower soil temperatures because the soil organisms that breakdown organic matter have lower biological activity or work slower at lower temperatures. Nutrient release is slower when soil is dry or waterlogged for the same reason. When green manure crops are not turned into the soil and left on the soil surface, breakdown and release of nutrients will be relatively slow due to drying of the plant tissues. When the green manure crop is incorporated into the top 6-8 inches of the soil, it will breakdown more rapidly because this is the area of the soil where most of the organisms that breakdown plant tissues are. When the green manure crop is soil incorporated deeper than 8 inches, it will decompose more slowly because lower oxygen levels at deeper soil depths limit the number of organisms that breakdown plant tissues.

Selecting a green manure crop to incorporate into a cropping rotation involves three steps:

1. Decide on the purpose of the green manure crop.

2. Identify a planting niche.Select a green manure crop that meets your goals.

Green manure crops can be used to provide nitrogen, increase the organic matter content and/or scavenge nutrients in the soil. Legume species are the best choice for adding nitrogen to the soil because they are able to establish relationships with bacteria in the soil that turn nitrogen in the atmosphere into a form that the plant can use. As illustrated in the table below, legume species differ in the amount of nitrogen they can add to the soil.

Legume Species Nitrogen-fixing Capacity
Alfalfa High*
Hairy vetch High
Cowpeas High
Crimson clover Moderate
Field peas Moderate
White clover Moderate
Red Clover Moderate
Common Bean Low
*High = greater than 150 lb/acre/yr; moderate = 50 to 150 lb/acre/yr; low = less than 50 lb/acre/yr. Table adapted from Northeast Cover Crop Handbook.

When growing a green manure crop to increase the organic matter content in the soil, non-legume species or mixtures of grasses and legume species are good options. The tissues of legume species have a low carbon to nitrogen ratio, which results in a relatively quick release of nitrogen as the plants breakdown. Because of this they add nitrogen relatively quickly to the soil but the amount of organic matter contributed to the soil is limited over the long-term. Green manure crops grown to increase the soil organic matter content are generally those with large above-ground plant canopies and include annual ryegrass, cereal rye, triticale, sorghum/Sudan grass and hairy vetch. Green manure crops can also be grown to scavenge nutrients left in the soil after the cash crop is harvested and thereby prevent the loss of those nutrients through leaching. In this case, select a crop with a large, deep root system that develops quickly because deep-rooted crops can recycle nutrients from deep in the soil. Options include small grains, cereal rye, triticale, rapeseed, annual ryegrass, oil seed radish, mustard and some legume species.

Once the purpose for growing the green manure crop is decided, the next step is to identify where the green manure crop fits into a cropping rotation. If it will be grown in the fall, cool season crops including vetches, peas, annual and perennial clovers, ryegrass or barley are good choices. If it will be grown in the late spring or summer, warm season crops including sorghum/Sudan grass, cowpeas or buckwheat are good choices. Land can be devoted exclusively to growing a green manure crop or it can be interplanted or undersown along with the cash crop.

These are some final tips to consider when selecting a green manure crop. Determine characteristics that are undesirable and avoid plants with those characteristics. For example, some plants with large above ground canopies are difficult to manage if the proper equipment is unavailable. Also, consider cost and seed availability in the final decision. Finally, it can be difficult to find a green manure crop that meets all soil fertility goals and likely trade-offs will have to be made.

References
Chaney, D., L. Drinkwater and S. Pettygrove. 1992. Organic Soil Amendments and Fertilizers. University of California Davis Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 21505. http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/pubs/Soil.htm.

Managing Cover Crops Profitably 2nd Edition. 1998. Sustainable Agriculture Network. http://www.sare.org/publications/covercrops.htm.

Sarrantonio, M. 1994. Northeast Cover Crop Handbook. Rodale Institute, Emmas, PA.

Please mail or email ideas for future column topics or thoughts on organic production to Elsa Sánchez, Department of Horticulture, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802 or elsasanchez@psu.edu.

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GLORIOUS GARLIC, HERB OF THE YEAR 2004
International Herb Association Horticulture Committee
Charles E. Voigt, Association Chair and Vegetable Crops Specialist, University of Illinois

Editors note: The following article was written by Mr. Charles Voigt, Vegetable Crops Specialist at U of I. He is a leading authority in garlic and herb production. With his permission I have modified the original document submitted to the IHA for length. If you are interested in obtaining the original, please contact Mr. Voigt by email at: cevoigt@uiuc.edu .

Introduction:
Garlic ranks behind only onion as the second most important Allium crop in the world (1), and has finally begun to assume the same importance in this country as it has always enjoyed in the rest of the world.

This is due to the rise of ethnic cuisines in the United States, based on the continuing tide of immigration into the US, and increased reliance on eating out over the last 20 years. Trendy spots now lace dishes from seafood to mashed potatoes with copious amounts of this herb. Roasted garlic seems to be the flavor du jour of the country. Garlic festivals in places like Gilroy, California, and Saugerties, New York, annually attract thousands of devotees to celebrations of the "stinking rose". Medicinal, culinary, and mystical significance is attached to this bulb. A plant that can fight disease, thin the blood, reduce cholesterol, season a variety of foods, and repel vampires seems to offer some diverse marketing possibilities.

History, Mythology, and Lore:
Garlic is believed to have originated in the mountains of central Asia, in the present day republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekhistan, and Turkmenistan. Today it is found wild in Siberia and on the slopes of the Ural Mountains (14). From this origin, garlic has been cultivated for many thousands of years, perhaps being one of the earliest wild plants tended by humans (1). Despite the fact that cultivated garlic has lost the capacity to produce viable seeds, there are a wealth of subspecies and varietal types grown in, and available from, the four corners of the world. Each ethnic group, geographic area, and cultural stratum seems to have its own preferred garlic varieties. When possible, selection of a strain well suited to local growing conditions will help ensure success.

Many ancient cultures were familiar with the culinary and medicinal uses of garlic. It is mentioned in the Sanskrit writings and in the book of Numbers in the Bible. Herodotus writes that the Egyptians ate it and that it was a part of the diet of the pyramid builders. Among many peoples, though, the plant was considered unclean and evil food of barbarians. Ancient Greek priests permitted no one who had eaten garlic to enter the Temple of Cybele. Romans detested the strong odor, but fed the bulbs to soldiers and laborers (16). The Chinese have known and used garlic for centuries, as have the Jews and the Arabs. Garlic was mentioned in the Calendar of the Hsai, a Chinese book dating beak 2000 years before Christ; was used by the Babylonians around 3000 BC; and is a part of ancient Hebrew Talmudic law, which stipulates that it be used in certain dishes on certain occasions (12). Detailed models of garlic bulbs were unearthed in the tomb of El Mahasna, in Egypt, 3750 BC. Archeologists discovered four dried, but perfectly preserved garlic bulbs in the tomb with King Tutankhamen, which dates from about 2,000 B.C. (7). The Spanish, French, and Portuguese brought garlic to the Americas (15).

Plant Description, Botany:
The genus name of garlic, Allium, was the original Latin name for garlic. Carolus Linnaeus simply adopted it when he coined the botanical name. The common name, garlic, comes from the Anglo-Saxon gar, a lance, and leac, a pot herb, and refers to the spear-shaped leaves (15).

Garlic's straplike leaves are 1-2 feet long, surrounding a central flower stalk or scape, which develops a globular cluster of tiny white blossoms (12). The leaves are flat, linear, gray-green, and longitudinally folded, with a keel on the lower surface. Six to twelve of them grow, widely spaced, along the central stalk of the plant. The bases of non-topsetting types form a semi-stiff pseudostem, which remains upright until bulb maturity, when it bends overnear ground level (15). The scape of topsetting types remains rigid and fully upright, even after full senescence. The "true stem" is below ground and almost flat as a pancake, a small disc upon which the cloves rest within the bulb (1).

The scape or flower stem usually emerges coiled, then later straightens to vertical as it grows and develops. A papery spathe covers the umbel at the top of this scape (also called a capsule). This spathe splits along one side to reveal the umbel, which consists of many bulbils that vary greatly in size between cultivars. The small, greenish-white, purple, or pink flowers vary in number, or may be absent. In many cultivars, these flowers wither as buds, without opening. Even those that open and occasionally produce black withered seeds are sterile, however (15).

Unlike onion, garlic produces a compound bulb, made up of 4-15 cloves (16). They are called cloves from the word cleave, which means both "to cling together" and "to divide along natural lines". Individual cloves are made up of two modified leaves, one which forms the protective papery outer skin, and the other which thickens to form a storage structure (15). Each clove is inside a protective sheath, and the whole compound group is covered with a thin, papery skin, which is tan colored to pinkish. Flowers are very small, white to pinkish, with six segments and six stamens. These are sterile, borne in a terminal globe-shaped umbel (13).

Varieties, Cultivars:
M.R. Pooler and P.W. Simon, of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have made an effort to classify a confusing array of garlic varieties into a botanically organized and logical order. Filaree Farm in Okanogan, Washington, offers organic planting stock of an exhaustive collection of garlic varieties, using the taxonomic system of Pooler and Simon to organize a catalog of amazing diversity. More than just a sales brochure, this publication can be a valuable reference tool for the would-be garlic grower.

All garlics are divided into two common subspecies, based on whether or not they form a hard flower stalk (scape) or not. Allium sativum ophioscorodon, or the hardneck garlic, is considered the more primitive type, producing a tall stalk with a cluster of bulbils and undeveloped flowers at the top. These bulbil stalks emerge curled and looped in a variety of ways. How the stalk is produced and emerges is one of the classification descriptors of the different varieties within the general "hardneck" type. All hardneck varieties are sometimes lumped under the designation "rocambole," though this system uses that name for a specific sub-group of the ophioscorodon subspecies. These "ophio" varieties are generally considered the "gourmet" types, with better, more complex flavor than their softneck kin. In general, though, they do not store as well as softneck types.

Over millennia of selection, softneck garlics, A. sativum sativum, were developed. These produce no hard central stalk or aboveground clusters of bulbils. All energy storage is in clove form within the bulbs produced underground. These bulbs typically have many more cloves than the hardneck types, some of them small central ones, thought to be converted remnants from what once would have been a bulbil stalk. The leaves form a pseudostem above the ground, which softens and falls over as the garlic matures, very much like the tops of an onion. These are the garlics of the mainstream marketplace, because they yield more, store better, and require less maintenance in the field than the hardnecks. The soft, pliable stems also make them the garlics of choice for braiding. Softneck cultivars may be less hardy than hardnecks in cold winter areas (14).

Botanical purists, such as Rexford Talbert, insist on a third subspecies, A. sativum pekinense, although popular literature seldom if ever mentions this type, or describes how it is set apart from the hardneck, Allium sativum ophioscorodon, variety.

Table 1. Examples of Garlic Cultivar Classifications
Cultivar Species/SubspeciesVariety/Group Name
Spanish Roja A. sativum ophioscorodonRocambole
Persian Star A. sativum ophioscorodonPurple Stripe
Red Rezan A. sativum ophioscorodonPurple Stripe/Glazed
Metechi A. sativum ophioscorodon Purple Stripe/Marbled
Music A. sativum ophioscorodon Porcelain
Inchelium RedA. sativum sativum Artichoke
Asian TempestA. sativum sativumArtichoke/Asiatic
Chinese PurpleA. sativum sativumArtichoke/Turban
Nootka RoseA. sativum sativumSilverskin
Ajo RojoA. sativum sativumSilverskin/Creole

Elephant Garlic:
Elephant garlic is not a true garlic at all. It is a leek, Allium ampeloprasum, though it's sometimes erroneously listed in catalogues as Allium sativum 'Giganteum' (1). Elephant garlic has become a popular and expensive item, due to the huge size of well-grown bulbs, and its milder flavor. Single cloves can grow to the size of pullet eggs or small tulip bulbs.

Elephant garlic should be planted in the fall for large size bulbs, although it is not as dependably winter hardy as true garlic, and generally performs better below 40° latitude, except along coastal areas of the US. Spring planted elephant garlic may not form separate cloves, but will often produce "rounds," which are large single, undifferentiated cloves which can sometimes grow to the size of a baseball (11).

Growing in cold climates may sometimes sharpen the flavor of elephant garlic, making it come closer to that of true garlic. Garlic aficionados usually scoff at the quality of this garlic "pretender," although large quantities are still sold at high prices to the uninitiated, keeping the market good for elephant garlic.

Planting:
Although the bulbils produced at the top of the hardneck stalk can be used to produce bulbs, the process usually takes two years. In general, the size and weight of the clove planted will affect the ultimate size of the bulb formed. In a given planting of a single cultivar, bigger cloves almost always make bigger bulbs. Bulbils can be used in cooking, though they are difficult and tedious to peel. Unless these tiny bulblets are desired for faster reproduction of a garlic strain, it is usually recommended that the topsets be removed as the stalk is fully emerged and begins to uncoil. The development of the bulbils saps strength that will be transferred to the developing underground bulb if the topset is removed.

Tender topsets and stems can be used in cooking, if desired. Wholesale removal of topsets is a tedious and smelly job, but will result in the production of much larger bulbs.

Green garlic can be produced in much the same way that scallions are produced from onion sets. This can be a way to turn bulblets and undersized cloves left over from planting stock into a deliciously different crop. To grow garlic this way, small cloves or bulbils are planted thickly in rows, in mid to late fall, whenever garlic for mature bulbs is sown. These germinate and root well in late fall, go into dormancy through the coldest part of the winter, and start growing and are usable very early in the spring. Plants are dug, washed, and bunched much like scallions. The whole plant, leaves and all, is then chopped for use in recipes calling for garlic. The flavor is usually more subtle and less pungent than from mature bulbs, which can be a definite plus in some dishes. When these plants start to bulb, the tops begin to toughen, so harvest should be completed before the daylength reaches the critical level, which cues the bulbing response.

Garlic strains can be as unique and different as fine wines. Cooks using garlic in recipes need to become familiar with some of the more obvious differences in texture, taste, and aftertaste among all the various varieties. Just as Riesling is not an acceptable substitute for Merlot, neither is California White always a workable alternative to Spanish Roja for the garlic purist. As with chili peppers, some recipes work best when specific varieties are used. Some are hotter, some are nuttier, some are crunchier, and some hit the diner on different parts of the palate. Part of the wonder of the Filaree catalog is the detailed flavor information included in the variety descriptions. Where possible, try to match specific garlic strains to specific tastes. Like other fine edibles, certain garlics may be "in season" for only part of each year.

Throughout much of North America, garlic is best planted in fall, like many other hardy bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils. If planted about 6-8 weeks before the ground can be expected to freeze (where the ground freezes), the cloves have a chance to root and grow a shoot to the soil surface in the fall. Then, in the spring, growth commences immediately, when the frost goes out of the soil, allowing lush growth before conditions would allow spring planting of garlic.

In frost-free areas, plant garlic when hardy bulbs normally go into the ground (except in the extreme south where flowering bulbs are planted after a winter in the refrigerator for chilling). Garlic needs no chilling to begin growing. Except in rare early springs, garlic from spring plantings never comes close to making up the difference with fall plantings, and has to mature in the hotter, dryer conditions of mid-summer, as well.

Just prior to planting, bulbs are broken apart into individual, unpeeled cloves which should be planted 3-4 inches deep, in 36 inch rows, about 4 inches apart in the row. Care may be taken to align the cloves within the row to keep foliage uniformly arranged in the rows to facilitate cultivation. If cloves are planted with the flattened sides perpendicular to the axis of the row, the leaves will all develop in the plane of the row. This makes mechanical cultivation much easier. In situations where hand cultivation is to be used in dense plantings, the angled sides of the clove should be planted parallel to the plane of the row so that the leaves will emerge perpendicular (crosswise) in the row, allowing plants to be spaced closer without leaf interference.

Culture:
Like all Alliums, garlic is a fairly heavy feeder that appreciates fairly high levels of fertility. Planting beds should be well amended with compost or other well-rotted organic matter, fertilized, and thoroughly worked before planting. A high phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be incorporated before or at planting. Nitrogen will probably not be stable in the soil over the winter, so application should be delayed until the soil warms in the spring. Abundant organic matter in the soil enhances garlic's performance.

Raised beds might be advisable to prevent waterlogged soil over the winter. After the ground crusts over with frost in early winter, a mulch of some sort will help prevent winter damage from frost heaving, and growth starting and stopping. During early season growth, plants should be watered whenever necessary to prevent the soil from drying out. In much of temperate North America, garlic grows in the part of the year with the most dependable rainfall, so irrigation is not always required. As maturity nears, water should be withheld in areas where this is possible.

In spring, two side-dress applications of nitrogen fertilizer should be made, the first about the time the soil warms enough to begin planting field corn (about 50-55° F at a 4 inch depth), and the second about three to four weeks later. This will help the garlic plants to grow large and robust before they receive the daylength cue to begin bulbing in late spring. The bigger the plants when this signal is received, the bigger the resulting bulbs will be. About 40-50 pounds of actual N per acre, applied alongside the rows, is recommended for each of these side-dress applications. In smaller plantings, this works out to about 1 pound of N per 1,000 square feet of garlic.

If conditions become dry in the spring while the garlic is actively growing, irrigation is recommended. The plants need to make as much growth at this stage as possible. All this energy will later be transferred into the bulbs. As the plants begin to bulb and mature, added water should be avoided, to allow better rot control. Varieties that produce topsets should have these scapes removed after they emerge.

This forces all the energy of the plant into the bulbs, making them significantly larger. Bulbs will usually begin to be ready to harvest from late June through much of July, depending on garlic variety and where you are, geographically.

Harvest:
Garlic should be dug while there are still at least 4 live, green leaves on the plants, since these leaves are attached to the papery wrappers on the bulbs, which quickly deteriorate in moist soil once the leaves die. Under humid summer conditions, bulbs left too long in the soil rapidly lose quality and storability. Wrapperless bulbs do not keep well. Bulbs with 4 or 5 layers of intact wrappings can be rubbed clean of dirt when they have cured and dried, leaving the cloves well covered and protected by the remaining wrappers. Garlic must be undercut or dug since it will not readily pull up out of the ground, even at full maturity.

Curing and Storing:
Whole plants should be moved from the field into a dark, dry, well-ventilated area for drying and curing of the bulbs. Bulbs should be moved out of the sunshine as quickly as possible after digging. Do not dry by laying the plants in the sunshine. Tops and roots are allowed to remain on the drying bulbs After several weeks, drying and curing should be complete, and the unique flavors fully developed within the bulbs. (Most garlics will taste fairly similar, fresh from the ground.) Tops and roots can be removed once drying and curing are complete. Depending on variety, the bulbs should store for 4-12 months, once they are properly cured. Best flavor also develops during curing.

In central Illinois, early varieties begin to mature about the last week of June or the first week of July, and the range of maturities may stretch through about 3-4 weeks. Harvest will normally be completed for all varieties by late in July here. Throughout the digging and storage operations, it should be remembered that the bulbs are living things that must be handled with care for best storage and quality. Any small bruise may cause the whole bulb to spoil in storage.

If garlic is planted fairly early in the fall, a cover crop of oats can be sown at planting time to try to provide some winter cover for the young garlic plants. In cold-season, low snow cover areas, a layer of organic mulch, applied after the ground freezes, is usually recommended for fall-planted garlic. Materials such as shredded leaves or straw can be used as mulching materials. This should stabilize the young plants, preventing frost heaving, cold injury, or premature growth in the late winter.

Cited and Additional Garlic References

  1. Growing Great Garlic, Ron Engeland, Filaree Productions, Okanogan, Washington, 1991, 213 pp.
  2. A Garlic Testament, Stanley Crawford, Harper Perennial, New York, 1993, 241 pp.
  3. The Healing Benefits of Garlic, John Heinerman, Ph.D., Wings Books, New York, 1994, 196 pp.
  4. The Healing Power of Garlic, Paul Bergner, Prima Publishing, Rocklin, California, 1996, 290 pp.
  5. A Clove of Garlic, Katy Holder and Gail Duff, Chartwell Books, Inc., Edison New Jersey, 1996, 128 pp.
  6. The Great Garlic Cookbook, Sophie Hale, Chartwell Books, Inc., Secaucus, New Jersey, 1992, 128 pp.
  7. The Great Garlic Book, Chester Aaron, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, California, 1997, 146 pp.
  8. Garlic Is Life, Chester Aaron, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA, 1996, 211 pp.
  9. Garlic Kisses, Chester Aaron, Mostly Garlic, Ltd., Milan, Ohio, 2001, 232 pp.
  10. Vegetables Money Can't Buy, But You Can Grow, Nancy Bubel, David O. Godine, Boston, Massachusetts, 1977, 144 pp.
  11. The Gourmet Garden, Theodore James, Jr., E. P. Dutton, New York City, NY, 1983, 236 pp.
  12. The Rodale Herb Book, William S. Hylton, Ed., Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 653 pp.
  13. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Claire Kowalchik and William H. Hylton, Ed., Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 1987, 545 pp.
  14. Heirloom Vegetables, Sue Strickland, Fireside, New York /city, NY, 1998, 191 pp.
  15. Garlic and Friends, Penny Woodward, Hyland House, South Melbourne, Australia, 1996, 248 pp.
  16. Unusual Vegetables, Anne Moyer Halpin, Ed., Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 1978, 443 pp.
  17. Gourmet Gardening, Hamilton Tyler, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York City, NY, 128 pp.
  18. The Best of Thymes, Marge Clark, Thyme Cookbooks, West Lebanon, IN, 1997, 410 pp.

Partial listing of garlic sources:
Filaree Farm, 182 Conconully Hwy, Okanogan, Washington 98840, catalog $2. Phone: (509) 422-6940, E-mail: filaree@northcascades.net Johnny's Selected Seeds, 1 Foss Hill Road, R.R. #1, Box 2580, Albion, ME. Phone: (207) 437-4395, Fax: (800) 437-4290, Web: http://www.johnnyseeds.com Nichols Garden Nursery, 1190 North Pacific Highway, Albany, OR 97321-4580. Phone: (541) 928-9280, Fax: (800) 231-5306

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GLEANINGS FROM THE EASTERN SHORE AREC "VIRGINIA CROP PEST ADVISORY"

Editors note: The following are vegetable and small fruit related articles extracted from the email weekly "Virginia Crop Pest Advisory". Selected articles are from June thru mid-July 2004. This newsletter is produced by the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research & Extension Center (ESAREC), Painter, VA with contributions from other Virginia Tech faculty and staff, Virginia Cooperative Extension Personnel, and agricultural specialists from other states.

The newsletter is edited by Tom Kuhar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Entomology, Eastern Shore AREC, Virginia Tech. To be added to the newsletter mailing list and receive the newsletter by email as it is released, contact Dr. Kuhar at tkuhar@vt.edu or call 757-414-0724.

June 4
Cucumber Beetle Management
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC)
Cucumber beetles (striped and spotted) infest cucurbit crops (melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash) every year in Virginia, and typically become active in late May. Beetles can aggregate in a field quickly, so crops should be inspected daily, particularly when plants are young. We have seen a few beetles at the station already aggregating on our cucumber plots. If beetles are not controlled, economic losses to crops may result from beetles defoliating and killing seedlings or transmitting bacterial wilt, particularly to cucumbers and muskmelons.

Losses from bacterial wilt vary greatly among varieties and from field to field. Because of their small size and leaf area, cucurbit seedlings and transplants are very difficult to spray efficiently with conventional equipment. At-planting systemic treatments are recommended for cucurbit crops that are susceptible to bacterial wilt. Systemic insecticides that have provided effective control of beetles and bacterial wilt in past trials include: Furadan 4F at 3.8 fl oz/1,000 ft of row (Special Local Needs 24c Label for Virginia), and Admire 2F (16 fl oz/A) or Platinum 2SG (8 fl oz/A) as a drip irrigation injection or transplant drench treatment. Although these treatments are effective, they are somewhat expensive. Several labeled pyrethroid compounds (Asana XL, Capture, Ambush, and Pounce), also provide effective beetle control as foliar sprays and are usually less expensive than the aforementioned at-planting treatments. If pyrethroids are used, fields should be monitored weekly for re-colonization by beetles. A grower should consider the following when deciding on a management strategy: 1) bacterial wilt susceptibility of the cucurbit variety; 2) history of beetle pressure on the farm; and 3) time and resources available to monitor fields and apply a rescue foliar spray if needed.

June 12
European Corn Borer in Peppers
Joanne Whalen (IPM Specialist, Univ. Delaware)
In areas where European corn borer trap catches are above 2 per night and pepper fruit is  inch in size or larger, fields should be sprayed on a 7-10 day schedule for corn borer control. If fruit is not present, larvae hatching from egg masses will feed on the leaves then move into the petioles and stems. For these fields, a pyrethroid application should be considered especially if egg masses are found and trap catches are above 10 per night in your area.

Correction to the Vegetable Recommendations for Acephate (Orthene) on Peppers: If you read the current Orthene 75S label (as well as all current acephate labels), European corn borer control (ECB) is only listed under bell peppers and the rate is 1-1.33 lb per acre of Orthene 75S (not 0.67-1.33 as listed in the book). After talking to Valent, it appears that ECB was mistakenly dropped from the non-bell pepper label. The current label states aphid control only at a rate of 0.67 lb/acre.(Orthene 75S). Another difference is the maximum amount allowed on each pepper type (bell versus non-bell).

Regardless of the formulation (Orthene 97, Orthene 75S or generic acephate), the maximum amount allowed for bell peppers is 2 lb ai/a/season. On non-bell peppers the maximum amount is 1 lb ai/a/season. Valent Corporation ( manufacturer of Orthene 97) has agreed to submit a 2ee label to EPA for DE,MD, NJ, PA, and VA to add corn borer back on the Orthene 97 label for non-bell peppers at a rate of  - l lb per acre. With this label change, you will be limited to one Orthene (acephate) application for corn borer control on non-bell peppers. We will let you know when we receive the 2ee label.

Insect Control in Snap Beans
Joanne Whalen (IPM Specialist, Univ. Delaware)
All fields should be scouted for leafhopper and thrips activity, especially seedling stage beans. The thrips threshold is 5-6 per leaflet and the leafhopper threshold is 5 per sweep. If both insects are present, the threshold for each should be reduced by 1/3. Dimethoate, Lannate, Asana, Capture, or Warrior will provide control of both insect pests. Once corn borer catches reach 2 per night, fresh market and processing snap beans in the bud to pin stages should be sprayed for corn borer. Acephate should be used at the bud and pin stages on processing beans. Once pins are present on fresh market snap beans and trap catches are above 2 per night, a 7-10 day schedule should be maintained for corn borer control. Lannate, Asana, Capture, Warrior or Mustang are labeled. Acephate has a 14-day wait until harvest.

June 25:
Cucurbit Disease Control
Christine Waldenmaier (ESAREC)
A disease forecasting program has been developed by Purdue University researchers which helps watermelon and cantaloupe growers to anticipate the occurrence of Alternaria leaf blight, anthracnose and gummy stem blight. The model uses daily measurements of the number of leaf wetness hours and the average temperature during leaf wetness to generate daily Environmental Favorability Index values (EFI).

According to the model, the fungicide spray in either watermelon or cantaloupes should be applied when the vines touch within the row. After that sprays should be reapplied after 20 EFI in cantaloupes and 35 EFI in watermelons.

Since June 1st we have accumulated 20 muskmelon EFI and 43 watermelon EFI so fungicide sprays would be needed for these crops if they had not been sprayed since then. For counts of EFI values from any particular date, please call the Research Center.

Stink Bug Control in Tomatoes
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC)
We are experiencing a peak flight of brown stink bugs (Euschistus servus). This pest has a wide host range including tomato, pepper, various beans, cotton, and fruit crops. Both nymphs and adults feed on buds, tender stem tissue, and fruit. Most damage to vegetables and fruit appears as deformed fruit, aborted blossoms, or death of young stems. Fruit can be damaged by feeding scars from the 4-pronged piercing mouthparts. Plant tissue will usually be dead around the feeding scar. Research has shown that weeds can play an important role in stink bug abundance. Field proximity to weedy areas results in higher brown stink bug populations. In efficacy trials on tomatoes at the ESAREC we have achieved the best reduction in stink bug fruit damage with weekly applications (once flowering begins) of any of the following: pyrethroids (Warrior, Baythroid, Mustang Max) or neonic products such as Actara and Provado. Drip-line or ground drench treatments of neonics such as Admire or Platinum did not reduce stink bug fruit damage.

July 2
Snap Bean Insect Control
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC) and Joanne Whalen (U. Delaware)
All seedling stage beans should be scouted for leafhopper and thrips activity. The thrips threshold is 5-6 per leaflet, and the leafhopper threshold is 5 per sweep. If both insects are present, the threshold for each should be reduced by 1/3. Dimethoate, Lannate, Asana, Capture, Mustang Max or Warrior will provide control of both insect pests. Once beans reach the bud to pin stage, on fresh market snap beans a spray program is recommended to control European corn borer, thrips and/or bean leaf beetle, which can damage pods. We are in the middle of a peak 2nd generation ECB flight right now in Eastern VA. A 7-10 day schedule should be maintained for corn borer control. Products such as Acephate (Orthene), Lannate, Asana, Capture, Warrior or Mustang Max are labeled. Acephate has a 14-day wait until harvest.

Sweet Corn Insect Management
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC)
In eastern Virginia, for effective protection of ears, it is recommended that all sweet corn that has reached the fresh silk stage should be sprayed with an insecticide (usually a pyrethroid) at least every 5 days until harvest. We are picking up corn earworm moths already, and European corn borers are in 2nd generation flight. Our research has shown that Bt sweet corn varieties have worked great and for early-plantings, at least, Bt varieties should not need an insecticide spray. Later plantings of Bt sweet corn may benefit from 1 or 2 well-timed sprays to get maximum protection.

July 10
Cucurbit Diseases
Christine Waldenmaier (ESAREC)
Downy mildew We have observed this disease on the Research Station this past week and it is occurring very early for our area. Downy mildew shows up as angular yellow lesions on the tops of the leaves. When the leaf is turned over, the lesion looks gray or tan and may have a gray mold fruiting. Once observed, fungicide control methods for this disease include alternating Cabrio, Pristine or Tanos every 14 days with Bravo, mefenoxam combinations or Acrobat plus Bravo or Mancozeb.

It is very important to realize that this disease can be hard to control during the weather conditions we are having right now. Be sure to apply fungicides such as Bravo or mancozeb preventatively and once observed to switch to the fungicides more effective on downy mildew.

Insect Activity in Cucurbit Cops
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC)
Cucumber beetles: A swarm of striped cucumber beetles (5-10 beetles per young plant) were found on our fall cucumbers this week. The beetles can quickly defoliate plants and transmit bacterial wilt. Although most of the pyrethroid products will provide adequate control, we sprayed the aforementioned infestation with 3 oz/Acre of Actara (tiamethoxam), which is much less toxic to bee pollinators. We got excellent control of beetles.

Squash bugs are busy depositing their bronze egg clusters on pumpkins (especially no-till), squash and cucumbers. Plants should be sprayed if greater than 1 egg mass is found/plant. Insecticide sprays should target the small whitish to greenish gray nymphs on the undersides of leaves.

Melon aphids: After a week or so of not checking our no-till pumpkins at the ESAREC, melon aphids quickly have covered the undersides of leaves (and are way over economic threshold). An insecticide is recommended if more than 20% of leaves have live aphids.

Mites on Tomatoes
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC)
I'm hearing reports of spider mite and russet mite infestations on tomatoes in Virginia. Hot, dry weather will only exacerbate the problem. The russet mite is very tiny (often not seen with the naked eye), but will cause bronzing of leaves and stems and leaf dropping. Some effective miticides in recent trials on tomatoes include: Agri-Mek, Danitol, and Acramite.

July 16
Insect Activity in Cucurbit Crops
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC)
Cucumber beetles: Striped cucumber beetles are still re-colonizing our melon crop (even after foliar insecticide applications. Squash bugs are busy depositing egg clusters on cucurbit crops (especially pumpkin and squash). Some eggs have begun hatching and it is now optimal time to target a control spray. Plants should be sprayed if greater than 1 egg mass is found/plant.

After applying pyrethroids to pumpkins, we had flairs of melon aphids (several hundred per leaf) - aphid densities were two to three times higher than on untreated plants. Some effective melon aphid control products include: Fulfill (Homopteran feeding inhibitor), the neonicotinoids - Admire, Platinum, and Actara, as well as Lannate and Thionex. The latter two will have a harder impact non-target organisms such as pollinators and natural enemies. An insecticide is recommended if more than 20% of leaves have live aphids.

Beet Armyworm Alert
Tom Kuhar (ESAREC)
As the moth catch from a few weeks ago predicted, we are seeing a few outbreaks of beet armyworm on the Eastern Shore. Crops that have been attacked include: peppers, cotton, cucurbits, soybeans, and tomatoes. Fall potatoes, spinach, and cole crops are also host plants for beet armyworm. The most attractive host plant for beet armyworm is pigweed. Infestations often will start on these weeds and then larvae will crawl to other plants. Color patterns of the larvae can be quite variable for this pest. Young larvae are pale green or yellow, but acquire pale, then dark stripes as they get older and larger. Large larvae tend to be darker - green dorsally and possess a lateral dark stripe the length of their body. In 2002, beet armyworm populations were moderately resistant to pyrethroid insecticides. The pest was adequately controlled with Bt products -(especially if smaller larvae were sprayed), as well as indoxacarb (Avaunt, Steward), spinosad (SpinTor, Tracer), Intrepid, and Proclaim. Lannate and Larvin provided moderate control. Some of the aforementioned chemicals are not labeled on certain crops. As always, read the label before applying any pesticides.

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PENN STATE HIGH TUNNEL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FACILITY GROWER'S WORKSHOP
Bill Lamont, Department of Horticulture, Penn State Dept. of Horticulture

A workshop for growers will be held at the High Tunnel Research and Education Facility

Horticulture Research Farm, Gate H, Rock Springs, PA on Monday September 13th.

The schedule is as follows:

9:00-9:30 AM: Introductions: Dr. Bill Lamont, Department of Horticulture, Penn State

9:30-10:15: Constructing A High Tunnel: Options and Considerations: Dr. Mike Orzolek, Bruce Dye and Thomas Plummer, Department of Horticulture, Penn State.

10:15-11:00: The Production of Vegetables in High Tunnels: Dr. Mike Orzolek, Department of Horticulture, Penn State University

11:00-11:45:Water and Nutrient Management in High Tunnels: Jay Baratelli, T-Tape International and Dr. Bill Lamont, Department of Horticulture, Penn State

11:45-1:00: LUNCH -Provided (Travel 1 mile to Livestock Evaluation Facility)

1:00-1:30: Transitioning to Organic Production in High Tunnels: Adam Montri, Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture, Penn State and Dr. Elsa Sanchez, Department of Horticulture.

1:30-2:00: The Production of Cut Flowers in High Tunnels: Lisa White, Facility Manager, Department of Horticulture, Penn State

2:00-2:30: IPM in High Tunnels using Biological Control: Lisa White, Facility Manager, Department of Horticulture, Penn State.

2:30-3:00: Small Fruit Production: Kathy Demchak, Department of Horticulture, Penn State.

3:00-3:45: Penn State Energy Recovery Program-Recycling Energy from Used Agricultural Plastics: Jim Garthe, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

3:45-4:00: Questions and Answers

Registration:
$25.00 per person or $40 for a couple. Registration includes lunch and a 157- page high tunnel manual. Please pre-register by September 9th. Make checks payable to Penn State University and mail to Lisa White, Department of Horticulture, 102 Tyson Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. For further information contact Lisa White at 814-692-4635 or e-mail: ldw112@psu.edu.

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NEWS RELEASE - VSU ANNOUNCES FIELD DAYS
William Gee, Virginia State University

Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University, in conjunction with VSU's Agricultural Research Station, has announced its upcoming field day schedule.

19th Annual Agriculture Field Day
Free and open to the public, Agriculture Field Day will be held on Tuesday, August 24 beginning at 9 a.m. on VSU's Randolph Farm. Participants will learn about the organic production of vegetables and cut flowers; production of specialty muskmelons; fall vegetable crops; and production/marketing of garden mums. To register or for more information, call Andy Hankins, alternative agriculture extension specialist, at (804) 524-5960 or e-mail ahankins@vsu.edu.

Small Ruminant Program
Designed for sheep and goat producers looking to expand and improve their business, the program will be conducted on Saturday, September 11 on VSU's Randolph Farm. The morning session will focus on marketing, and the afternoon session will feature a parasite control workshop. Cost for the morning session, which includes breakfast and lunch, is $15 per person. The afternoon session, which is limited to 30 participants, is $8 per person. To register or for more information, call Dr. Joseph Tritschler, small ruminant extension specialist, at (804) 524-5957 or e-mail jtritsch@vsu.edu.

17th annual Aquaculture Field Day
Free and open to the public, Aquaculture Field Day will he held on Tuesday, October 19 beginning at 8:30 a.m. on VSU's Randolph Farm. For anyone interested in how fish are raised, this year's field day will cover channel catfish production steps from the hatching of eggs to the consumer's dinner table. To register or for more information, call Dr. Brian Nerrie, aquaculture extension specialist, at (804) 524-5496 or e-mail bnerrie@vsu.edu. mailto:bnerrie@vsu.edu.

Anyone desiring special services or accommodations in order to participate in any of these events should call in advance to make arrangements.

Cooperative Extension
Virginia State University
P. O. Box 9081
Petersburg, Virginia 23806

DIRECTIONS TO:
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PAVILION
RANDOLPH FARM

FROM THE NORTH (Fredericksburg), Washington, D.C., Maryland, etc) - Take I-95 South to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Take this exit. Turn left at the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp. Turn left at the second traffic light onto Route 301 (The Boulevard). Continue to the Fourth Red Light - turn right onto Dupuy Road. Stay on Dupuy (will become River Road) past Virginia State University to traffic light. Turn right at the light. Go over the bridge and continue straight ahead for  mile. The entrance to Virginia Cooperative Extension Pavilion is the second gate on the left.

FROM THE SOUTH (Emporia, North Carolina, etc.) Take I-95 North to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Take this exit and continue as above.

FROM THE NORTHWEST (Staunton, Charlottesville, etc.) Travel Interstate 64 East to I-95 South to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Continue with above directions.

FROM THE SOUTHWEST (Roanoke, Lynchburg, Blackstone, etc.) Travel 460 East to Interstate 85 North (approximately 10 miles from Petersburg). Take I-85 North to I-95 North. Stay on I-95 North to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Continue with above directions.

FROM THE EAST (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Wakefield, etc.) Travel 460 West through Disputanta and Hebron. Stay on 460 West until traffic light at Wagner Road (McDonald's on the right). Turn left on Wagner Road. Obey speed limits on this road! Stay on Wagner until you see the I-95 North exit on the right. Take I-95 North to Exit 54 (Temple Avenue). Continue with above directions.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

August 24, 2004. Agricultural Field Day. VSU Randolph Farm, Petersburg, VA. Contact Andy Hankins at (804) 524-5960 or email: ahankins@vsu.edu.

September 13, 2004. Grower Workshop on High Tunnel Production. High Tunnel Research and Education Facility, Horticulture Farm, Rock Springs, PA. Contact Person: Lisa White, Phone: 814-692-4635 or e-mail: ldw112@psu.edu.

September 24-25, 2004. Passive Solar Greenhouse Workshop: Design, Construction and Year Round Production. Sonnewald Natural Foods, Spring Grove, PA. Contact: Steve Moore ((717)-225-2489 or mailto:sandcmoore@juno.com

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