This guide is intended to assist commercial vegetable producers by providing information on production techniques and pest management. Sustaining New England's vegetable farms will require that farmers make profits as well as sound management decisions that protect the environment and promote social acceptance of agriculture. We in the Cooperative Extension system are committed to providing farmers with the information necessary to make the best possible management choices.

Although this guide lists nearly all pesticides labeled for use on vegetable crops, growers should utilize an integrated management approach that considers cultural practices and biological interactions whenever possible. To support vegetable growers in this approach, this guide includes information on many cultural practices and non-pesticide Integrated Pest Management methods that provide the foundation for healthy crops. In addition, a comprehensive section on cover crops, soil fertility, and nutrient management is included. Information is provided for diverse management systems, including large and small farms, and both conventional and organic production.

Cooperative Extension and other organizations publish a variety of fact sheets, manuals, and books to assist in properly managing soils and pests (see the Reference section in Appendices, at the end of the Guide). IPM programs are available in some states to help growers learn about scouting for pests and timing controls to get the best results. Finally, this guide is just one part of Extension's efforts to help support you, the vegetable grower. We also offer many educational meetings and conferences to provide you with information. We urge you to take part in these programs and to call upon us for assistance.

The Cooperative Extension System, land grant universities, and the United States Department of Agriculture offer education and employment for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture.

The New England Vegetable Management Guide is a collaborative effort of Cooperative Extension vegetable programs in the six New England states:

Indrajeet Chaubey, Dean and Director of Extension
Cooperative Extension System
The University of Connecticut
Box U66, 1376 Storrs Road
Storrs, CT 06269-4066
(860) 486-2917
Vegetable Program website: ipm.uconn.edu/pa_vegetable
 
Deborah Sheely, Director of Cooperative Extension
College of Environment and Life Sciences
University of Rhode Island
413 CBLS Building; 120 Flagg Road
Kingston, RI 02881
(401) 874-2240
Vegetable Program website: web.uri.edu/coopext/vegetable-production
 
Kenneth LaValley, Dean and Director of Cooperative Extension
UNH  Cooperative Extension
Taylor Hall, 59 College Road
Durham, NH 03824-3587
(603) 862-4343
 
Jody Jellison, Director of Extension
Center for Agriculture, UMass Extension
University of Massachusetts
319 Stockbridge Hall
80 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01002-2376
(413) 545-4800
Vegetable Program website: ag.umass.edu/vegetable
 
Hannah Carter, Dean of Cooperative Extension
University of Maine
5741 Libby Hall
Orono, Maine 04469-5741
207-581-3238
 
Chuck Ross, Director of Extension
University of Vermont
Morrill Hall, 146 University Place
Burlington, VT 05405-0106
(802) 656-2990
Vegetable Program website: www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry