August 2026 | Volume 17, Issue 7
Inside this issue:
- IPM Vegetable and Fruit Scouting Tips
- How to Protect Your Profit by Identifying Hidden Costs in Fruit and Vegetable Marketing
- Take Your Farm or Food Business to the Next Level—for Free
- Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Found in Field Tomato’s
- FDA Finalizes Guidance for Ready-to-Eat Fresh-Cut Produce Operations under Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule
- Apple Maturity Assessments 2026:Premier Honeycrisp, Firestorm Honeycrisp, and Ultima Gala Week 3
- Weather Update - August 2026
- University of Maryland Extension Events
-
Vegetable Production Guide Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations (EB-236)
Vegetable Production Guide Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations (EB-236) -
Spray Program for Multi-Small Fruit Plantings
Spray Program for Multi-Small Fruit Plantings -
Common Fruit Herbicides*
Common Fruit Herbicides*
Weather Update- August 2026
The weather information contained in this chart is compiled using the data collected using the Online Phenology and Degree-Day Models site (https://uspest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.us). The Drought Map is from U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/) Information is available for free for all to use.
| Location | Base 50°F |
|---|---|
| Annapolis (MD029) | 3096.7 |
| Baltimore, MD (KBWI) | 2888.0 |
| Chestertown (016 MD) | 2701.8 |
| College Park (KCGS) | 2989.3 |
| Frederick (KFDK) | 2645.0 |
| Garrett County Airport | 1909.0 |
| Greater Cumberland Reg (KCBE) | 2578.7 |
| Hagerstown (C1323MD) | 2707.5 |
| Jarrettsville MD | 2438.9 |
| Mont. Co. Airport | 2782.6 |
| Patuent River Naval Air MD/ Lexington Park | 3039.2 |
| Pocomoke City (MD070) | 2956.7 |
| Ridgely (005MD) | 2717.6 |
| Salisbury/Ocean City (KSBY) | 2875.7 |
| Vienna (MD038) | 3209.1 |
| Waldorf | 2662.2 |
Upcoming UME Events!
Cover Crop Showcase
Date: August 19, 2026 | Wednesday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Cost: This is a free event and lunch is included.
Location: Kings Grant Farm 7029 Quakerneck Rd. Chestertown, MD.
Description: Learn about cover crop planning and management and weed management in cover crops, and the latest results from the Maryland "planting green" research trials. Activities include: Interactive drone and cover crop related equipment demonstrations, Tour strip trials showcasing 14 species of summer cover crop & Interactive soil pit demonstration. Pesticide & Nutrient Management Credits Available.
Register at go.umd.edu/covercropshowcase or by calling 410-651-1350
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IPM Webinar Series:
The series meets on the third Thursday of every month from 12 to 1 pm. For more details and registration, visit https://go.umd.edu/ipmwebinar. Maryland Pesticide Credits are available. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Hayden Schug at 301-226-7502.
Aug 20, 2026: Common Diseases Right Now and How to Manage Them - Dr. Ana Cristina Fulladolsa, Plant Diagnostician, University of Maryland Plant Diagnostic Lab
Sep 17, 2026: Root-Knot Nematode Management in Vegetable Crops - Ben Beale, University of Maryland Extension
Oct 15, 2026: Precision herbicide application - Dr. Travis Ford, University of Maryland Extension
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Event: Maryland Crop Scouting School at CMREC (Clarksville)
Date: September 24, 2026 | Thursday
Time: 9:00 am to 2:45 pm | Cost: $10
Location: Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Description: Join us for a hands-on Crop Scouting School focused on building practical skills for identifying and managing pests, diseases, and crop issues in the field. Participants will learn how to scout effectively, recognize key problems, and make informed management decisions using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. This program is designed for farmers, crop consultants, and ag service providers looking to improve their field diagnostics and decision-making. This event covers common pests in row crop and vegetable production systems.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-crop-scouting-school-at-wye-tickets-1988090629591?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Take Your Farm or Food Business to the Next Level—for Free (8 week online course)
Are you a farmer or food entrepreneur? Are you considering launching a new product, applying for a loan or grant, or expanding into a new market? Do you want expert help taking the next step for your business?
Apply today to join the new Maryland Agribusiness Coaching Level 2 program taught by the University of Maryland Extension faculty.
The University of Maryland Extension is opening registration for their free, 8-week online Farm Business Coaching Program to help you grow your agricultural business. The course will run Sept. 28 through Nov. 20, 2026.
Led by experienced UME faculty, you’ll develop a comprehensive business portfolio covering your mission and goals, production plan, financials, marketing, and more. At the end, a professional business consultant will review your plan and provide tailored feedback from a financing perspective.
This training is offered at no cost to you, thanks to a grant from AgriProspects, a project of the Extension Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Apply now to get the coaching support you need to take your farm or food business to the next level: https://go.umd.edu/UMEMDAGBCL2026
University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Andrea Franchini by phone at 301-226-7416 or by email at andrea1@umd.edu
Esta institución ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Los programas, actividades e instalaciones de la universidad están disponibles para todos sin distinción de raza, color, sexo, identidad o expresión de género, orientación sexual, estado civil, edad, origen nacional, afiliación política, discapacidad física o mental, religión, estado de veterano protegido, información genética, apariencia personal o cualquier otra clase legalmente protegida.
Si necesita adaptaciones razonables para participar en cualquier evento o actividad, comuníquese con Andrea Franchini a número teléfono 301-226-7416 o al correo electrónico andrea1@umd.edu
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Hiring and Retaining Farm Employees – What you Need to Know and Do
Are you trying to find, hire and keep great employees? Is it a bit confusing and time-consuming? Do you know where to start and who to involve? Are you worried about the legal considerations when having non-family members employed? This course will help you sort through all these questions and concerns. Navigating this process doesn’t have to be difficult as this course will share with you. Through the four modules of this course, you’ll get important information and resources you can adapt for your own operation. For more information, go to https://agrisk.umd.edu/grant-proposals/hiring-and-retaining-farm-employees
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Discover more upcoming events from University of Maryland Extension!
Browse our full calendar and find programs near you!
Maryland has a network of weather stations (Maryland Mesonet) that is administered by the University of Maryland's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, in partnership with the MD Department of Emergency Management. Each mesonet site measures air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, rainfall, snow depth, and soil moisture and temperature at five depths, most at 1-minute intervals. The measurements are available to Maryland citizens from the Mesonet website (https://mesonet.umd.edu/index.html).
Extensión en Español Check out Extensión en Español, a Spanish language blog by two UMD professors, Anahí Espíndola (Entomology) and Macarena Farcuh (Plant Sciences & Landscape Architecture). https://extensionesp.umd.edu/
They cover a range of topics, including fruit, pollinators, pests, soils, and pesticides.
Vegetable & Fruit News Volume 17 Issue 7 - Download PDF
Vegetable & Fruit News is a research-based publication for the commercial vegetable and fruit industry available electronically from April through October. Published by the University of Maryland Extension Agriculture and Food Systems team.
Subscribe to Fruit and Vegetable News
EDITOR
Emily Zobel University of Maryland Extension Agent - Dorchester County
501 Court Lane, Room 208
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 410-228-8800
Email: ezobel@umd.edu
Note: Registered Trade Mark® Products, Manufacturers, or Companies mentioned within this newsletter are not to be considered as sole endorsements. The information has been provided for educational purposes only.