Upcoming Weather and Vegetable Transplants in the Greenhouse

Posted by, Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent, Gloucester County

Finally!!! Some warmer and sunnier weather is predicted for the coming week. Since many of our crops are still in the greenhouse keep in mind some things to watch for. On hot, sunny days when fans are running and doors/sides may be open, plants dry out quickly (especially near the doors/sides and near the fans). Proper watering is of utmost importance! Remember, the larger the plant, the more water lost through translocation. The smaller the container size, the quicker the mix will dry out. Morning watering may need to be supplemented by a second watering later in the day. Make sure not to water late in the day/evening when plant foliage would remain wet. Water early enough in the P.M. so that leaves can dry off quickly. Letting foliage stay wet overnight can enhance bacterial or fungal growth on plants.

Don't forget to check for insect pests, especially aphids. Now that doors/sides may be open to vent houses, insects can enter too. Scout edges of the greenhouse frequently to check for insects. They would come into these areas first. If weeds are growing near edges of the greenhouse, they may be harboring insect pests. Do not use herbicides inside, or near the sides/doorways of the greenhouse. You can severly damage transplants inside the greenhouse, even if they are used outside. Vapors/drift can enter the greenhouse. One way to control weeds could be to use a weed flamer. Do a search on the web for companies that sell flamers. There are many hand held versions with propane tanks that can be used to control weeds. Just be careful not to melt plastic on the greenhouse. Also, mechanical methods (hoeing, pulling, roto-tilling around the outside is a viable option).

Spring is here! Best wishes to everyone for a successful, safe and profitable growing season!

Marketing Seminar for Food Entrepreneurs

This 2 day seminar presents the basics of marketing and communications for current and prospective food business owners.

Date: April 24 and 25, 2013
Location: Rutgers Food Innovation Center, Bridgeton, NJ
Contact: Diane Holtaway holtaway@njaes.rutgers.edu

Topics include marketing products to retailers, media relations, digital marketing, trade show and events, packaging and labeling, visual merchandising, food service marketing, social media, website development, and content marketing.

-- Submitted by Rick VanVranken

FDA Proposed Produce Food Safety Rule Q & A - Exemptions

- Meredith Melendez

The first FDA Proposed Produce Food Safety Rule Q & A conference call, coordinated by the Produce Safety Alliance, was held yesterday.  This conference call focused on exemptions to the proposed rule.  Here are the highlights of yesterday’s conference call:

1. How are average annual sales for a farm calculated?
2. Farm Facility (Packinghouse) Registration, are farms exempt?
3. At what point does the FDA Preventative Controls rule apply to a farm?
4. Are there any exemptions to the labeling of product to be sold?

Greenhouse Sanitation and Inspection

- Andy Wyenandt

Proper greenhouse sanitation is important for healthy, disease-free vegetable transplant production. Efforts need to be made to keep transplant production greenhouses free of unnecessary plant debris and weeds which may harbor insect pests and disease.

Q & A Teleconferences on Food Safety FSMA

-Wes Kline and Meredith Melendez

The Produce Safety Alliance, in collaboration with the FDA, will be hosting a series of Q & A teleconferences to discuss specific sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Proposed Produce Safety Rule. See the attachment for teleconference dates and times on the following topics:

• Understanding Exemptions 
• Agricultural Water 
• Soil Amendments 
• Domestic and Wild Animals 
• Growing, Harvesting, Packing & Holding Activities 
• Equipment, Tools, Buildings, & Sanitation 
• Health, Hygiene, and Worker Training 
• Recordkeeping, Compliance, & Enforcement

Remember comments or questions regarding issues the FDA should clarify or address in the final rule or in companion guidance document must be submitted before May 16, 2013.

New 2nd edition of the Resource Guide for Organic Insect & Disease Management

The new 2^nd edition of Resource Guide for Vegetable Crops Organic Insect and Disease Management is now available from Cornell University.  Organic vegetable growers, or anyone interested in organic pest control alternatives, will find the manual useful. Download the pdf for free from the link above, or available as a hard copy for $20.
--Rick VanVranken

New Information on Food Safety

-Wes Kline and Meredith Melendez

Stay up-to-date with Food Safety Modernization Act rule changes by following our Plant and Pest Advisory Food Safety Blog.

This week:

• Summary: FDA presentations on FSMA
• Compliance Decision Tree for US growers of fruits, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms, herbs, or sprouts.