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Successive Plantings

and constant supply of produce for harvest throughout the entire season. Many of the crops that are grown here in the Garden State lend themselves to the concept of successive plantings very well. And a little bit of foresight and planning can lead to a very successful and abundant harvest.

Let’s start with tomatoes. Because we sell tomato transplants to the public at our farm market, I get to witness the buying habits of home gardeners first-hand. We probably sell ninety percent of our tomato plants between the last week of April and the middle of May. What does this mean? It means that all of these tomatoes are going to be ready for harvest at the same time. So, from the end of July to the middle of August most home gardeners will have an overabundance of tomatoes. And if the weather does not cooperate, the harvest season can be cut even shorter than that. I always recommend that people not only plant tomatoes in early May, but also plant some around June 1, with another planting three weeks after that. This should stretch the harvest window for tomatoes well into October. And if the plants can be protected from a night or two of a potential isolated frost in October, they could produce into November. And how many times have you been harvesting good quality tomatoes, but have run out of the basil to go with them a couple of weeks prior?

This same strategy can support, and personalized solutions to meet their unique needs. Together, we can navigate through challenging times, strengthen our agricultural community, and foster a resilient and prosperous future for our farmers and their families.

Deadlines:

August 1 - USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently accepting nominations for county committee members for elections that will occur later this year. All nomination forms for the 2023 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by August 1.

September 30 – Margin Protection insurance provides coverage against an unexpected decrease in operating margin caused by reduced county yields, reduced commodity prices, increased prices of certain inputs, or any combination of these perils.

Editor’s Note: Bob Andrzejczak is the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Jersey. He can also be reached at 609587-0104 during regular business hours. For more information, please visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov/ state-offices/New-Jersey/ sed-biography/index be used with plenty of other summer vegetables also. Peppers, eggplant and cucurbits can all be treated in the same manner with the expectation of similar results. But the effects of using this system are even more pronounced with shorter season vegetables such as beans, beets, radishes and sweet corn. Not only do these crops take much less time to mature, but their optimal window of harvest is also much narrower. All of those aforementioned crops should, more or less, be harvested within a one week window for optimal flavor and quality. So, it should go without saying that in order to enjoy these vegetables throughout the growing season, successive plantings need to be made.

When planning these successive plantings, one item to keep in mind is that plants grow much faster when they are grown in warmer/hotter weather. For example, sweet corn planted in early April might be ready for harvest three months later in early July. But that same variety planted June 15 might be mature as soon as mid-August. And the opposite is also true. As the days shorten in early autumn, plants will need more time to reach maturity. The nice thing about this though is that you also have a longer window in which they can be harvested. See you in September!

Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is Mayor of Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. He also served as a director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau and is a past president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Peter has also been featured on NJN, News 12 New Jersey and on the Fox Business Network.

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A New Exotic Pest in NY: The Elm Zigzag Sawfly

The elm zigzag sawfly (EZS) (Aproceros leucopoda) is an insect that only eats elm leaves and can cause severe defoliation (leaf loss) that threatens tree health. They get their name from the easily recognizable “zigzag” feeding pattern larvae create as they chew through leaves. However, when most of the tree’s leaves have been eaten, the zigzag pattern may not always be as clear because larvae will eat all the leaf tissue down to the vein.

The elm zigzag sawfly is native to Asia, specifically parts of China and Japan. Its common name comes from the zigzag feeding pattern of its larvae.

Elm zigzag sawfly larvae are light green with a black band on their head with T-shaped markings above the second and third pair of true legs. Adults are black with yellowish-white colored legs and smoky-brown colored wings. Cocoons are loosely-spun and net-like; they can be found attached to leaves or other objects like fence posts.

The elm zigzag sawfly reproduces parthenogenetically, meaning females reproduce without mating. Females can lay up to 60 eggs at a time, with four to six generations a year.

The sawfly can be unknowingly spread through the introduction of infested nursery stock. Once introduced, the sawfly can fly up to 56 miles in a year or further when assisted by wind currents.

Prevention and early detection are considered to be the best control methods at this time.

Currently, little is known about management for EZS. Insecticides have had some success in European infestations but only for individual trees or small stands. With EZS being relatively new to North America, there is still a lot to learn about managing this species. Insecticides labeled for use on other defoliators are likely to work for EZS management, but none are currently labeled for use on EZS in the US. Small infestations can be picked off by hand if they are reachable or possibly removed with a strong stream of water from a hose.

Monitoring elm trees plays a key role in preventing the spread of this sawfly . If an insect is suspected to be EZS, capture the insect or take a picture and report it to your local Cooperative Extension Office.

If you happen to be sitting in your yard or on a beach somewhere, and think about how you can make your yard into a destination or give it that resort feel, I ask that you consider hiring an NJLCA member to do your fall or spring project.

NJLCA members are required to carry insurance and must not have any unresolved Better Business Bureau complaints. Our members tend to enter awards programs and strive for perfection in their projects. Whether it’s a small project or a full property makeover, hiring a landscape professional can significantly impact the outcome and ensure success. While many folks may consider the DIY approach, the advantages of hiring a seasoned professional are well worth the cost.

Proficiency and Expertise: Our members, as part of a trade association, are eager to hone their craft and learn the proper ways to provide a professional result. Professionals possess specialized knowledge and skills honed through extensive training and experience. They have dedicated their time and effort to mastering their craft, allowing them to tackle complex tasks. By hiring a professional, you tap into their expertise, and benefit from their in-depth understanding of plants, hardscapes, irrigation and more. Their proficiency saves

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