What's Growing ON‪?‬ ONhortcrops

In this episode, Kristy sits down with OMAFRA's Application Technology Specialist, Jason Deveau to talk sprayer technology. In the first part of the conversation, Jason covers tips, tricks and pieces of advice for sprayer winterization and spring preparedness. Switching gears for the second half, Jason moves into precision agriculture and the future of spray technology. Questions for Jason? Contact him at jason.deveau@ontario.ca. For more information on spray application and...

In this episode, Kristy sits down with OMAFRA's Erica Pate (Fruit Crop Specialist) and Katie Goldenhar (Plant Pathologist) to talk about an emerging pest issue in Ontario strawberries, called Neopestalotiopsis. For more information on identification and biology of this disease, check out Pest Alert: Neopestalotiopsis - An Emerging Strawberry Disease in North America on the ONfruit blog. If you suspect this disease in your field, contact Erica (erica.pate@ontario.ca) or ...

In this episode, OMAFRA's Fruit Crop Specialist, Erica Pate sits in the horticulture hotseat to talk about the importance of strawberry aphid management to minimize incidence and impact of insect-vectored viruses. Following, Kristy dives into the waters of pesticide rainfastness to look at some general guidelines around insecticide and fungicide wash-off and how these can assist in decision-making when it comes to what to do following a rain.For more information on strawberry aphids and...

In this episode, Kristy sits down with OMAFRA's Vegetable Crop Specialist, Elaine Roddy to get the buzz on the important pollinator of pumpkin and squash, the squash bee. Questions for Elaine? Contact her at elaine.roddy@ontario.ca. For more information on squash bee in Ontario, check out the following resources:Managing Pumpkin/Squash in Ontario to Maximize Pollination Services by Wild Bees - Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention presentation by Dr. Susan Cha...

In this episode, we hear from a series of OMAFRA specialists during a marathon of Horticulture Hotseat. Up first, we review the basics of integrated pest management (IPM) with Summer Research Assistant, Ali Collingwood. Consider this an opportunity to review where the strengths and gaps lie within your on-farm IPM program. Following Ali, OMAFRA's Plant Pathologist, Katie Goldenhar (katie.goldenhar@ontario.ca) walks us through the various tests available for plant virus detection - a rather fi...

In this episode, Kristy chats with fellow OMAFRA Horticulture IPM Specialists, Wendy McFadden-Smith (tender fruit and grape) and Melanie Filotas (specialty crops) to talk about the importance of regular pest scouting, from how often and how much to what to look for and where in perennial crops. Questions for Wendy or Melanie? Contact them at wendy.mcfadden-smith@ontario.ca or melanie.filotas@ontario.ca. Check out the Ontario CropIPM website for more information on scouting as wel...