Pumpkins / Gourds
New York State ranks amongst the top 3 states (Illinois and Pennsylvania are the other two) in pumpkin production in the country with over 6,800 acres of production with an estimated value of $24 million each year. Nearly all of these are for fresh market use for either decorating or eating. The pumpkin industry is highly variable with fruit ranging from quarter pound to several hundred pounds each. Pumpkins are grown throughout NYS and are marketed through roadside stands, nursery centers and farmers markets and are also important in areas that have lots of agri-tourism. Included in this group are also other fall ornamentals such as gourds and ornamental squash. Pumpkins are susceptible to many different diseases, the most prevalent of those being Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew and Phytophthora blight. In the last eight years, plant breeders and seed companies have released a multitude of varieties resistant to Powdery Mildew and are widely used by growers. Another concern for growers are several different viruses which can cause plants to not produce fruit at all or results in poor fruit quality (size, color etc.). Striped Cucumber Beetles and Squash bugs remain the main insect pests. Aphids are also important because they are the primary vectors of those viruses mentioned above.Witner Squash and Pumpkin Maturity, Handling and Storage Reminders
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
With early winter squash like spaghetti and acorn starting to ripen, it's time for these helpful harvesting and handling reminders!
2023 Cucurbit Powdery Mildew Control Fungicide Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Table 1: Recommended Pre-Emergent/Post Seeding Herbicides for Pumpkins and Wint
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Herbicide Options for Pumpkins and Squash
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Recognizing Fruit Rots of Vine Crops
Elisabeth Hodgdon, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Phytophthora (fi-tof-thor-a) is a serious, long-persistent, destructive disease that can easily be spread from farm to farm on infected fruit. This disease can last a decade in the soil and attacks (blights/melts) vine crops, solanaceous crops, and legumes. The disease is caused by an oomycete, which is a different kind of organism from a fungus. Most fungicides don't control oomycetes. Growers with phytophthora have to rely on specialized control chemistries and often must make substantial changes to their production plans and planting systems. You do NOT want this showing up on your farm, especially not because of some rotting fall vine crops brought in from elsewhere.
CPM Table
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Recommended list of conventional and organic fungicides labeled for Powdery Mildew Control in Pumpkins, Winter Squash and Gourds.
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
Winter Squash and Pumpkin Harvest
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Much of the winter squash in the region is matured and ready to go. This article will give you some tips on how to ensure harvesting, handling and storing the highest quality squash and pumpkins for your farm.
2018 Pumpkin Variety Trial Article
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The search for the perfect pumpkin variety continued in eastern NY during the 2018 season with CCE ENYCHP conducting 2 pumpkin variety trials; one at Wertman's Farm and Greenhouses in Melrose, NY (Rensselaer County) and at Robert O. Davenport and Sons Farm in Kingston, NY (Ulster County). Despite the roller coaster weather, the Wertman location turned out good and is the trial in which all data is based on. Unfortunately, the Davenport site suffered some poor stand issues and was used for observational data only.
2018 Pumpkin Variety Trial Results Report and Slideshow
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Herbicide Options for Pumpkins and Squash
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Weeds - I really, really dislike weeds and so should you! Not only do they reduce yields and quality of fruit, but they can reduce insecticide and fungicides applications and take more time to harvest if your crew has to employ the "stumble" method of locating the fruit! Most herbicide programs are best employed right after planting, before the crop emerges
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.
Zonix Biofungicide Label
Timorex Gold NYS Label
2015 CCE ENYCHP Pumpkin Variety Trial
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
In 2015, the ENYCHP evaluated 20 pumpkin varieties including novelty, pie, medium and large Jack-O-Lantern types.
Phytophthora Webinar 3: Management practices to reduce P-Cap on the farm
This recorded webinar features Dr. Meg McGrath for a discussion of fungicides for P-Cap, crop rotation strategies, and the use of biofumigants to control P-Cap in infected fields.
Webinar: How do I know if I have P-Cap in my Fields?
Laura McDermott, Team Leader, Small Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The first in a 3-part series, this pre-recorded webinaris presented by Dr. Chris Smart, Cornell University.
Flooding in 2011 spread Phytophthora capsici into fields with no history of the disease. Growers who have not managed P. capsici previously could inadvertently and permanently spread the disease to additional fields and could experience high rates of crop loss due to improper management of the disease. Understanding of P. cap will reduce the probability of these negative outcomes on eastern NY farms.
Webinar: How do I know if I have P-Cap in my Fields?
Laura McDermott, Team Leader, Small Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The first in a 3-part series, this pre-recorded webinaris presented by Dr. Chris Smart, Cornell University.Â
Flooding in 2011 spread Phytophthora capsici into fields with no history of the disease. Growers who have not managed P. capsici previously could inadvertently and permanently spread the disease to additional fields and could experience high rates of crop loss due to improper management of the disease. Understanding of P. cap will reduce the probability of these negative outcomes on eastern NY farms.
Webinar: Farming with P-Cap: Managing Your Crops and Minimizing Spread
Laura McDermott, Team Leader, Small Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
In this pre-recorded webinar, Dr. Michael Mazourek, plant breeder at Cornell University, and Dr. Chris Smart, plant pathologist at Cornell University Geneva Experiment Station lead a discussion about how to minimize the impact of Phytophthora capsici on your farm.
Early Pumpkin Ripening
Written by Ruth Hazzard, University of Massachusetts
Ideally, pumpkins should be harvested when fully mature, with a deep orange color and hardened rind. However, as long as pumpkins have started to turn color, they will ripen off the vine if held under the proper conditions. While not ideal, this may be preferable to leaving them in the field if conditions are not favorable.
2011 Pumpkin Herbicide Trial
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The Capital District Vegetable & Small Fruit Program evaluated current herbicides and one un-labeled herbicide for pumpkins. Weed control ratings and the cost associated with each prodcut can be found in the the full pdf.
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Upcoming Events
Soil Health for Vegetable Growers Workshop
November 1, 2023
Essex, NY
Join us for presentations, discussions, and hands-on demonstrations focusing on soil health concepts and best management practices for vegetable growers. Topics include tarping, maintaining soil health in high tunnels, cover cropping, reduced tillage, compost microbiology, and more.
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