Reminder – Hazelnut IPM Training this Thursday, May 28

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Melanie Filotas

Just a reminder that there is still time to register for the Hazelnut IPM workshop being held at the Ontario Crops Research Centere auditorium, 1283 Blueline Rd., Simcoe this Thursday, May 28 from 10 AM -12:30 PM. This will start with in-class overview of pests and scouting in hazelnut orchards from Dr. Melanie Filotas, OMAFA Horticulture IPM Specialist, followed by a visit to one of the Simcoe Research Station hazelnut orchards to discuss scouting techniques and view pests active in the orchard in late spring. Lunch is on your own.

While the workshop will cover key characteristics of the most important pests of hazelnuts, due to time constrains we will not be able to provide detailed information on life cycles and management during the session. Upon registration, you will be sent links to videos covering more detailed descriptions of many of the key insects and diseases in hazelnuts.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Click here to register.

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Lavender Crop Update – Winterkill and Pest Update – May 22, 2026

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Sean Westerveld

Winterkill

By now, lavender plants should have fully greened up. If the outer portions of the canopy are still brown, the plant will only recover if new shoots are now visible lower on the branches or near the crown. Green-up has been slower than normal this year despite a warm April. This is probably because lavender requires warmer temperatures to grow, and the April warmth was still below its requirements. Most of May has been below normal. It is unlikely that plants will catch up entirely, so bloom may be somewhat delayed this year unless temperatures go above normal again in June.

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Ginseng Crop Update – Frost and Pests – May 22, 2026

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Sean Westerveld

Weather, Frost and Disease

Some areas have experienced frost damage, mostly during last week’s frost events. Most of the damage is confined to field edges and low areas. We used to think that damage along field edges was due to colder air outside of the field where the tarps did not provide protection, but it now appears that the air is just as cold inside a garden (although coldest in low areas where the cold air pools). The plants on the edge of the garden can radiate additional heat towards the sky at night, making the plant surfaces in these areas even colder than the air.

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Full Moon and Frost Risk – Is There Really a Connection?

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Sean Westerveld

It is May, the time of year when growers constantly watch the weather because the risk of frost is high. Many growers and gardeners consider the May full moon as an important factor for determining when the last frost of spring will occur. It is also considered again for the risk of frost in the fall. This is based on the old weather proverb “clear moon, frost soon”. This year, there are two full moons in May, leading to worry of the potential for another frost at the end of the month.

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Ginseng Crop Update – Frost Considerations – May 1, 2026

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Sean Westerveld

It is frost season again, and there is a lot of uncertainty at this time of year. Ginseng in older gardens is emerging through the straw and could be susceptible to freezing conditions. Here are some considerations for forecasting and dealing with frost in ginseng:

Reliable Weather Data

The Environment Canada Delhi weather station is once again showing temperatures much colder than they should be, which is due to the ginseng shade that surrounds the weather station. Last night it showed a low temperature of -4°C, which was 3 to 4 degrees colder than all weather stations located nearby, including Simcoe, between Simcoe and Delhi, Brantford, and London. Normally, it is about 1°C colder in the Delhi area on calm and clear nights, but not 3 or 4 degrees colder.

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Managing Basil Downy Mildew with Resistant Cultivars

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Sean Westerveld

Basil downy mildew was first identified in Ontario in 2010 and caused devastating losses in the first few years after its introduction (Figure 1). The disease often shows up in Ontario in late July or early August, and once in a field, it can cause complete defoliation and 100% yield loss within a few weeks. After several years, new conventional fungicides were registered that provided good control, but there were few options for organic producers. Since then, new resistant or tolerant cultivars of basil have been released, and these have provided the best option for managing the disease for both conventional and organic producers.

Figure 1. Basil downy mildew begins as a yellowing of sections of the leaf with purplish spores produced on the underside of the leaves in the morning. Defoliation occurs within a few weeks in susceptible cultivars without the use of fungicides.

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