Vegetables

Fall is the best time to plant garlic for a summer harvest.  Both the softneck and hardneck types of garlic can be planted now.  The softneck varieties are found in most grocery stores.  They have a mild flavor and store very well.  Two recommended softneck varieties for our climate are “California Early”…

In this issue…BEST WATER AND NITROGEN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN DRIP-IRRIGATED DESERT LETTUCE AUGUST WEATHER-INDUCED DISEASE-LIKE SYMPTOMS IN COTTON: BOLL ROT, LEAF SPOTS, AND BRONZING SURVEY IDENTIFIED ELEVATED BERMUDAGRASS STEM MAGGOT ADULT PRESENCE AND DAMAGE IN BERMUDAGRASS FIELDS IN THE IMPERIAL…

 As we enter the fall season and begin preparing fields for the winter, this is the time to think about planting cover crops.   Typically, most growers plant less than 5% of the vegetable ground with fall and winter cover crops.   Cover crops can potentially help with many challenges…

It will soon be time to start planting many cool season crops.  There are several reasons to plant a winter garden. Many crops actually taste better and grow best in cooler weather. Also, a winter garden is less work: the weather is more comfortable and there is less weeding and watering to do.  Finally,…

Understanding the when, why, and how of pruning tomatoes for the best yield To prune or not to prune tomatoes, that is a question that backyard tomato growers need to answer for themselves. Growing strong, healthy tomato plants increases the chance of getting a large crop of delicious tomatoes. The…

Please join us for the 2025 Lettuce Fusarium Wilt Trial Field Day in Soledad - August 26, 2025 10 am - 12 pm. Trials include variety evaluations, steam treatment evaluations, and fungicide evaluations. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Please see full article for additional info and directions.