Melons
Fresh market production of melons has been an important crop for NYS growers for many years. Cantaloupe are predominantly the main type of melons grown, but Honeydew, Crenshaw, Watermelon and Gallia types can also be grown quite nicely in our climate. Recently, "personal" or "ice box" types of melons, which have been bred for individual consumer use are much smaller (2-3 pounds) and have become favorites of consumers at roadside stands and farmers markets. Nearly all the melons grown in NY are produced on raised beds mulched with black plastic and drip irrigation. Fusarium wilt, Powdery and Downy Mildew and Gummy Stem Blight remain the main disease issues with these crops. Striped Cucumber Beetles and aphids remain the major insect pests.Relevant Events
Rulfs Orchard Vegetable and Berry Field Meeting
August 4, 2026
Peru, NY
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
2025 Pumpkin Powdery Mildew Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2025 Pumpkin and Winter Squash Pre-emergent Post Plant Herbicide Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2024 Cucurbit Powdery Mildew Fungicide Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Reminder on Calculating Fertigation Rates for Plastic Mulches
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2024 Cucurbit Downy Mildew Fungicide Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2024 Post Emergent Grass Herbicides for Vine Crops
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Angular Leaf Spot: Perennial Problem of Cucurbits
Teresa Rusinek, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2020 Seedless Watermelon Variety Trial
Teresa Rusinek, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Results from our 2020 seedless watermelon variety trial held at Wallkill View Farm in New Paltz, NY.
2020 Powdery Mildew Fungicide Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Fungicide Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Guidelines on Managing Cucurbit Downy Mildew in 2020 Based on Recent Research
Can it be True?
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
A product called LandSpring was labeled in NY back in July of 2017 and may help reduce transplant shock of certain crops. Learn more about what it is and how it works.
LandSpring NYS Label
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Vegetable Presentations
Presentations from the 2018 ENYCHP Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference held February 20th and 21st for the vegetable sections.
Timorex Gold NYS Label
2015 Melon Variety Trial Photo Slideshow!
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
O-zone Injury on Vegetables
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Hot, humid weather with stagnant air masses may lead to ozone damage on crops. Ozone warnings were recently issued for much of New York. These warnings are intended for people with respiratory problems and let them know they should limit their outdoor activity and try to stay as much as possible in air-conditioned locations. These warning are also a good indicator that ozone damage may occur in plants.

Upcoming Events
Rulfs Orchard Vegetable and Berry Field Meeting
August 4, 2026
Peru, NY
Join CCE vegetable specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon and Chuck Bornt for a vegetable and berry field meeting at Rulfs Orchard, in Peru, NY. We'll tour the farm's fields and talk about integrated pest management of sweet corn and cucurbit crops. Then, we'll view a drone demonstration and discuss new technologies for pesticide application and spotted wing drosophila management in berries. Light refreshments will be provided. A rain date will be announced if adverse weather is predicted.
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on August 11 for the Capital Region Orchard Twilight meeting in Saratoga! We will be touring Bowman Orchards and reviewing seasonal recommendations for pests and diseases for apples, plums, and berries, as well discussing crop insurance.
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits: 1.25 in categories 22, 1A, & 10. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.
