Strawberries are a high-value fruit crop, with a great degree of versatility. Depending on whether the variety grown is June-bearing or Day-neutral, harvest times and production systems can vary; this offers producers flexibility in cultural management and marketing.
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Using Manure as Fertilizer in Agronomic Crops
High fertilizer prices are prompting farmers to take a closer look at manure as a fertilizer option for agronomic crops. This factsheet explains how Connecticut and Northeast U.S. farmers and agronomic crop growers can use manure more effectively as a fertilizer source…
Reduce the Risk of Pollution and Maximize the Effectiveness of Lawn Fertilizer
The health of the Sound is heavily impacted by activities within the landscape that, if not properly managed, can contribute pollutants to the waterway. This fact sheet focuses on one source of nitrogen impacting Long Island Sound – lawn fertilizer.
Packing Your Go Bag for Older Adults
A ‘go bag’ is a small, easy-to-carry bag packed ahead of time that allows one to leave quickly during emergencies, such as hurricanes, coastal flooding, storm surges, extended power outages, or evacuation orders. The contents should support health, safety, and independence for up to three days.
Protect What You Own: Your Home Inventory
A home inventory is a record (written and/or digital) that documents personal property that you own. It can be particularly helpful after natural disasters such as storms, floods, or fires. Having this documentation ready can help the insurance claim process move more quickly, smoothly, and accurately as well as reduce stress during the recovery phase.
Invasive Plants in the Home Landscape: Five Common Species and Management Options
In many areas throughout the state, Connecticut residents have a wooded edge or a part of the yard that is left naturalized. These edges and unmanaged areas can become a hotspot for common, invasive plants. Invasive plants are those that are not native to the region (non-native) and outcompete native plants for resources.
PFAS and Microplastics: Understanding Everyday Chemical Exposure and Its Health Impacts
An environmental contamination that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics have emerged as two pollutants of major concern. These chemicals are being found in our air, water, soil, and even our food, as they slowly wear off the everyday products from which they came.
Hydration and Beverages: A Complete Guide to Healthy Hydration
Good health depends on staying hydrated. Hydration can be achieved by many beverages beyond pure water and is important in many settings beyond that hot summer day. Staying hydrated includes drinking plain water, infused water, sparkling water, club soda, seltzer, 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice, sports drinks, electrolyte-enhanced beverages, milk, plain coffee, and eating foods high in water content.
The Health Benefits of Protein Powders
Protein powders have become a popular addition to diet for Americans of all ages and in particular, teens, young adults and sports athletes. It is also a big business with premium marketing, and social media endorsements from celebrities and influencers. They are widely available at supermarkets, retail shops and E -commerce websites.
Food Safety Update: Cyclospora and Cyclosporiasis
The United States is experiencing a substantial seasonal increase in cyclosporiasis. Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic, single-celled parasite that infects the human small intestine. The illness caused by the parasite is called cyclosporiasis.
Heat Safety for Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits
Hot weather can be dangerous for pets of all kinds. Pets can’t sweat as humans do. Dogs may pant to cool themselves, but this isn’t always effective in extreme heat. Pets who are overheated may suffer from heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Cold Weather Safety for Dogs and Cats
Companion pets, including dogs and cats, must be kept safe and warm when it is cold outside. Cold winter temperatures can create several risks for your pet’s health, including hypothermia (a dangerous decrease in body temperature) and frostbite (causing body tissues to freeze and become damaged).
PFAS and Biosolids in Fertilizers and Soil Amendments
This factsheet provides information to growers and homeowners regarding the Connecticut 2024-2025 rules that restrict PFAS in fertilizers and soil amendments. It explains what PFAS are, what types of materials are affected by the current Connecticut restrictions, how to evaluate product labels and feedstocks, lower-risk alternatives, and where to get help.
Helping Vegetable Crops Through Drought and Heat
This fact sheet provides Connecticut vegetable farmers with practical, research-based strategies for managing crops under dry, drought, and heat-stress conditions.
Biosecurity Best Practices for Animal Show Superintendents
Quality biosecurity practices can prevent the introduction and spread of diseases associated with animal events. Event personnel, including show superintendents and stewards, play an important role in protecting human and animal health. This fact sheet can be used by event personnel to inform biosecurity efforts before, during, and after shows.
Drafting Executive Summaries for Program Evaluation
This publication focuses on helping those engaged in program evaluation efforts draft well-written, impactful executive summaries. It is a resource for Extension professionals and evaluators within the Cooperative Extension System (CES), program evaluators in other fields, and individuals involved in evaluating, writing ESs for their evaluation reports, and disseminating the impact of their programs.
Squash Vine Borer (Melittia cucurbitae) in Home Gardens
The Squash Vine Borer (SVB) is a common and destructive pest of squash and other cucurbit crops in home gardens. Larvae tunnel inside plant stems, often causing sudden wilting and plant collapse during mid-summer. Understanding the life cycle and behavior of this insect can help gardeners manage infestations, using timely monitoring and integrated pest management strategies.
Lead in Garden Soils
This factsheet is for gardeners, homeowners, and landscapers who want to understand the impacts of lead in soil. It covers where soil lead comes from, why it matters for children and adults, current EPA and Connecticut guidelines, how to sample the yard and garden soil, what the soil test result means, and steps to take if soil is contaminated.
How to Get Started with Composting at Home: A Practical Guide
Connecticut households, it can help reduce trash, make use of the large amount of fall leaves that many properties produce, and turn common yard and kitchen materials into a valuable soil amendment.
Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive insect found in parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. It is an introduced pest from Asia, native to China, India, and Vietnam.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii)
The Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii) is attracted to thin skinned, soft fleshed fruit. There are many hosts with agricultural value including raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, grapes, and figs.
Starting a Farm Business in Connecticut: Business Registration and Tax Obligations
Key decisions are a necessary first step toward starting new farm operation initiatives. These include creating a business plan, and checking about potential local restrictions regarding an on-farm enterprise.
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
The Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is a broad-canopied deciduous tree, and an invasive plant. It is common in urban landscapes, and along roadsides. It is increasingly found to be invading undisturbed forests and woodlands.
Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata)
Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) is a deciduous, woody vine, that climbs rapidly. It is native to China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East, and was introduced to the United States in the 1870s, as a landscape plant.
Home Sausage Making
Different types of sausage were created all over the world, and each region developed their own distinctive styles influenced by local ingredients, spices, and casings. Climate was another important factor for the development of region-specific fresh and dry sausages. This article includes sections on equipment, sanitation, ingredients, casings, game meat, and recipes that should be helpful during your adventure in home sausage making.
Build Your Own Smokehouse
For many years, building a backyard smokehouse was primarily for smoking fish, but also for smoke-cooking pork and turkey, and making jerky and sausage. An article published in Fish Alaska magazine provided the general blueprint for many of the construction ideas outlined here. The actual smokehouse cost approximately $170 to build (including the propane burner).
Extreme Weather Preparedness Checklist for Farms: Spring
Extreme weather events and seasonal changes in the Spring can pose risks for farm operations. Use this checklist as a guide for immediate actions when extreme spring weather is forecast.
Nutrient-Dense Foods on a Budget: Eat Well, Spend Less
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean spending more money. Many of the most nutrient-dense foods, like those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein, are also some of the most budget-friendly foods. With smart shopping and planning, you can fill your plate with foods that nourish your body and stretch dollars.
Preparing for Extreme Weather with Pets: A Guide for Older Adults
Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and severity and in some cases may require residents to evacuate their homes for safety reasons. Evacuating during extreme weather can be stressful for both people and pets. This fact sheet is for older adults and those that work with older adult audiences to guide emergency preparedness for pets.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs (Pentatomidae) are shield-shaped true bugs, distinguished by a large, triangular scutellum that covers the abdomen between the folded wings. They can be damaging to crops and fruits if they occur in large numbers and can be difficult to control. Some stink bugs are predatory and feed on other insects or arthropods, but not on plants.
Beech Wooly Aphids and Sooty Mold
During the fall wooly aphid activity may be found on beech and other hardwoods. Particularly on American beech in the Northeast, the native beech blight wooly aphid, Grylloprociphilus imbricator, may be found by the hundreds actively feeding on branches and twigs well into November.
Disaster Preparedness: Special Medical and Dietary Needs
Special medical or dietary needs require advance preparation for disasters, and weather events can limit access to supplies. Disasters can strain normal supply chains and place individuals with special needs at particular risk. This factsheet focuses on specific tips to ensure adequate preparation for medications, medical equipment, and special dietary foods.
Rosy Apple Aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea)
Rosy Apple Aphid (RAA), Dysaphis plantaginea (Passeri), an early season pest of apples and pears, overwinters as eggs laid on stems and bark of host trees. Pest emergence begins in early April, as overwintering eggs begin to hatch. Newly hatched nymphs feed on developing buds and then migrate to developing leaves as they expand. Apple and pear trees are the primary hosts for the Rosy Apple Aphid. Alternate hosts include herbaceous plantains and docks.
Beech Bark Disease
Beech bark disease (BBD) is a serious disease of native American and non-native European beech trees, caused by the feeding of the non-native felted beech scale, Cryptococcus fagisuga. The feeding pierces the bark, which provides an opening for subsequent infection by the native fungal pathogens Neonectria ditissima, and N. faginata.
Identifying Major Pests of Bedding Plants in Connecticut
There are multiple challenges to growing bedding plants in greenhouse conditions. Warmth and moisture in greenhouses provide conditions for many insects and pathogens to flourish, and vigilance is needed. This fact sheet examines the pests and the conditions favorable to their spread.
Spring Fungal Disease Outlook for Fruit Growers
Spring comes fast every year, and with it numerous early-season diseases. Warming temperatures and frequent rains provide optimal conditions for plant diseases. It is best to focus your attention on preventative disease control now, rather than playing catch-up later. This fact sheet includes information on multiple common fruit diseases, along with some notes regarding how to best prevent troublesome early-season infections.
Blueberry Pruning Guide
Whether growing blueberries commercially or in a home garden, regular and thoughtful pruning is one of the most important aspects of cultural management. Well-pruned blueberry bushes will produce high-quality, large berries for decades. This fact sheet provides a step-by-step guide to pruning blueberries complete with benefits, details on making cuts, and differences between pruning young and established bushes.
Ten Tips to Remember When Farming with Livestock During the Winter in Connecticut
The beauty of having four seasons in Connecticut also requires navigating the challenges presented with extreme winter weather, including freezing temperatures, high winds, or significant precipitation. This factsheet offers livestock farmers and producers recommendations to manage livestock and farm, and continue operating safely through the winter season.
Expiration, Use-By and Sell-By Dates: What Do They Really Mean?
The dates on food packaging can be confusing. Most dates tell you when the food tastes best, not when it is unsafe. In fact, there are about 50 different date labels in the United States (U.S.), and none are regulated. The tips in this fact sheet will help you know if your food is still safe to eat.
Wisely Choosing and Incorporating Health Supplements Into Your Diet
Certain supplements may have harmful interactions with medications and other supplements. Taking multiple or combining supplements with prescribed medications can increase the risk of side effects or make your medication less effective. This is particularly true for senior citizens who are taking multiple prescription medications.