GARDEN PEST CALENDER

Garden Pest scouting calendar to help you know when to look for common pests before they become a problem. Keep in mind the times are approximate. Pest emergence also depends on weather temperatures and conditions.

GENERAL PESTS, APPROXIMATE TIME TO CHECK FOR TREATMENT

Bagworm	Late May – Early June
Scale	Early March – April Female eggs (Adult)	May – Early June (Crawler
Borer	Mid-May to Mid-June (Larvae)
Aphid	Early May to September Adult and Nymph
Whitefly	Early May to September (Adult)
Spider Mites	March – April (Egg)	May to September (Adult)
Thrips	May to June (Adult)
White Grubs	Mid-April – Mid-June (Larvae)	Late June – Mid-August (Adult)	Mid-August – Late September (Larvae)
Tent Caterpillars	Early-April and Mid-May (Larvae)
Japanese Beetle	Mid-April – Mid-June (Larvae)	Late-June – Mid-August (Adult)	Mid-August – Late September (Larvae)
Leafhoppers	Mid-April – Early June (Adult and Nymph)
Cutworm	Mid-April – Early June (Larvae)
Lacebug	Early May – September (Adult)
Caterpillars	May to September (Larvae)
Leafminer	Early Spring (Egg)	April – June (Larvae)	Autumn (Egg)
Nantucket Pine Tip Moth	Early April – August (Larvae)
European Pine Shoot Moth	April (Larvae)	Mid-June (Larvae)

For more information on any of these pest call your local Extension Office. 302 730 4000

Maggie L. Moor-Orth, Delaware Cooperative Extension,Delaware State University

KENT COUNTY SUMMER WORKSHOPS

The summer series of Kent Co. Master Gardener workshops will be at the Paradee Center

and will be free, unless otherwise noted. On the schedule:

Pesky Critters and Insects – Thursday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Make Your Own Garden Art – Learn to make hypertufa leaves.Monday, July 11 at 12 noon at Wendy Aycoth’s home at 3651 Killens Pond Rd., Harrington, DE.Rain date: Tuesday, July 12. Cost: $10.Upon registration, you will be mailed a list of supplies to bring with you. Wear old clothes.

The Fall Garden – Thursday, Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

More Than a Pressed Flower – Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Canning 101 – Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5.

Mail your payments toUniversity of Delaware, Kent Co. Cooperative Extension,Master Gardener Workshops,

69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901

During the month of May and early June, many of the Farmers Markets and on Farm markets throughout the state of Delaware will be opening, and farmers will be bringing their fresh produce for many of us to purchase. How lucky we are, because meeting and getting to know our farmers means we know our food. Buying local ensures we have really fresh food and a great way to keep our small farmers in business. It is important to remember that vegetables are usually at their best quality and price at the peak of their season. Purchasing produce when in season also ensures its freshness. Always check the characteristic signs of freshness: crispness, uniform color, firmness, blemish free and dryness. The difference in these qualities means the difference in price and quality grades furnished by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). Equally important to remember is that vegetables grow in a great variety and provide vitamins and minerals.

Because fresh vegetables have individual characteristics and values, there are no set rules for buying them. Personal experience is probably the best teacher. However, the following list is designed as a handy reference when purchasing certain vegetables:

Beans (Snap): Look for fresh, bright appearance with good color. Purchase young, tender beans with pods that are firm and crisp. Thick, tough fibrous pods indicate over-maturity.

Beets: Should be firm with a deep red color, and have a round taproot. In most cases beets are sold in a bunch with tops attached. The condition of the tops is a good judge of their freshness. Avoid wilted and flabby beets.

Broccoli: Look for a compact cluster of flowers that is firm, green and sometimes has a purplish cast. Avoid yellow-opened buds or wilted clusters.

Carrots: Should be well-colored, firm, well-formed and smooth. The tops if attached, should be fresh and have a good green color.

Corn: Pick ears that are well covered with plump, but not too mature kernels. Husks should be green and the silk-ends should be free of decay or worm damage.

Cucumbers: Look for a completely firm, well-developed good green-colored fruit. Avoid overgrown, large-in-diameter, withered and dull green-colored cucumbers.

Peppers: Look for peppers with a deep characteristic color (peppers come in a variety of colors like: purple, green, yellow, white, orange and red), glossy sheen, firm-walled, and relatively heavy weight. Avoid a pepper that is wilted or soft.

Potatoes: Potatoes should be firm, smooth, free of blemishes and sprouts, free of the green discoloration under the skin . Avoid potatoes with large cuts, or that are shriveled, bruised and/or decayed.

Squash (summer): Look for somewhat young, small, firm, glossy , blemish and pit-free skin, and tender fruit.

Tomatoes: Look for a smooth, firm (but not hard), well ripened fruit, with a deep color, and reasonably blemish free.

Remember, Delaware vegetable producers will be harvesting freshly grown products soon. Therefore, buy when vegetables are in season; the prices will be more reasonable.

Buy only what you can eat or store for two to five days (root vegetables can be stored longer). Handle produce carefully because vegetables bruise easily. At the point of sale, you are the best judge of vegetable quality.

Enjoy Delaware’s best and remember: Know your farm; you’ll know your food. You can find a list of local Delaware Farmers Markets on the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s website at http://dda.delaware.gov/marketing/DE_FRMVENS.shtml.