Things to Do / Things to Think About This Month - May 2018

Strawberries

• Light application of nitrogen as growth commences (end of April or early May – 10-20 lbs actual N/acre); make a heavier application if there was severe winter damage
• Foliar application of complete fertilizer once leaves fully developed; if regrowth is weak, weekly applications may be necessary
• Application of herbicides for grassy weed control prior to bloom (if required)
• Frost protection of June bearers at bloom if required
• Deblossom newly planted June bearers for season
• Deblossom newly planted Tristar Day-neutrals for 6 weeks
• Apply herbicide 4-6 weeks after planting new fields

• Complete cane thinning
• Remove dead cane tips down to active growth
• Make 2^nd application of N (mid-May) – 20-40 lbs actual N/acre

• Commence 1^st application of nitrogen and phosphorus during early-mid May (additional application June-end) – 15-25 lbs actual N/acre; 10-20 lbs P/acre – adjust rate when banding

• Apply nitrogen (end of April or early May) – starting in 3^rd year – 50 lbs actual N/acre

• Pre-planting application and/or incorporation of herbicides (trifluralin, etc.) for registered crops in early part of month (if not completed previously)
• Seeding of most crops should be completed before month end
• Consider multiple planting dates to spread out harvest dates and reduce risk
• Transplant crops when risk of frost is past or protect crops using field or row covers or mini-tunnels
• Extending the early growing season in spring rather than fall has more sunlight benefit
• Consider try a few “new to you” varieties, to hedge your risk against the loss of “standby” varieties

• Monitor soil moisture conditions and irrigate as required
• Install / repair outhouses, update signage, arrange washing facilities & drinking water locations
• If foliar feeding, application on slow drying days may increase uptake

• Continue insect and disease monitoring
• Watch out for unusual insects – often linked with weather
• Do not apply pesticides during full bloom
• Vegetables
  • Flea beetle adults emerge and begin egg laying towards mid-month – monitor for shot holes in cotyledons late month
  • Consider the use of appropriate seed treatments in cool and/or wet seeding conditions
• Strawberries
  • If Botrytis fruit rot was a problem in the past, consider application of fungicides as growth commences; generally one early application and one late application should be sufficient.
  • Monitor 1^st blossoms for Tarnished Plant Bug activity and take control options as necessary
  • Monitor for strawberry clipper weevils when temperatures exceed 18°C
• Saskatoon berries
  • Make applications of insecticides and fungicides based on label timing, with adjustments for weather conditions and scouting / monitoring activities (e.g. dryer conditions may allow you to skip a Entomosporium control application)
  • Decis 5.0EC applied at green tip stage (flower bud break to tight bud cluster), early flowering (25-50% bloom) and after petal drop
  • Fungicides with the active ingredient propiconazole (e.g. Topas/Tilt/Bumper, etc.) may be applied at white tip, petal drop and green fruit stages
  • Adhere to Pre-Harvest Interval and Re-Entry Intervals for respective pesticides
• Black Currants
  • Apply insecticides against currant fruit fly at petal fall (repeat 7 days later)