ID-119: Ornamental Gourd Production in Kentucky

Amanda Sears | March 31, 2026 (Major Revision)

Gourds are hard-shelled members of the Cucurbit family and are among the oldest cultivated plants. When dried, they have traditionally been used for many purposes including dippers, spoons, storage containers, bowls, musical instruments, and toys. A few types of gourds are edible if picked when immature but most are valued primarily for their beauty and used for crafts and as decorations.

PPA-52: Crazy Top of Corn

Kiersten Wise | February 4, 2026 (New)

Crazy top of corn is a disease that has been observed more frequently in Kentucky due to heavy and intense spring rains. Although some crazy top symptoms are distinct, other symptoms of this disease may not be as familiar and are easily confused with herbicide or insect damage. This publication describes the symptoms and cause of the disease, conditions that favor disease development, and information for disease management.

ID-36: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2026-28

Shawn Wright, Rachel Rudolph, Ric Bessin, Nicole Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger, Ed Dixon, Henry Smith, April Lamb, Oluwaseun Kolawole | February 3, 2026 (Major Revision)

Successful vegetable production generally requires the grower to make daily decisions regarding pest management, irrigation, and cultural practices. Would-be growers unwilling to make serious investments of time (and money) should not attempt to expand beyond a space at the farmers’ market. It is important for vegetable growers to have a market outlet for their product before they choose to start production. Good marketing plans start with the customer and work backward to production. Potential growers should first determine exactly what buyers want, how they want it, and when they want it. They then must determine how these crops should be grown. Even selecting varieties and determining planting times are basic marketing decisions. Kentucky growers should pay particular attention to comparisons of marketing time required, compatibility with off-farm employment, compatibility with tobacco production, and other farm demands. Individual situations vary, and producers often must learn about their particular markets by starting small and getting a foot in the door.

PPA-51: Curvularia Leaf Spot of Corn

Kiersten Wise, Nolan Anderson, Kelsey Mehl, Carl Bradley | January 22, 2026 (New)

Curvularia leaf spot is a corn disease that was reported for the first time in the United States in Louisiana in 2017 and was confirmed in Kentucky in 2018. Curvularia leaf spot causes yield loss in tropical areas and is considered to be one of the most important diseases of corn in China. Yield losses in the United States due to this disease were first reported in 2023, although reported losses to date remain low. This publication describes the symptoms and cause of disease, conditions that favor disease development, and foliar diseases that have similar symptoms.

ID-125: Kentucky Wheat Guide

Chad Lee, Bill Bruening, J.D. Green, John Grove, Carrie Knott, Travis Legleiter, Edwin Ritchey, Carl Bradley, Raul Villanueva, Sam McNeill, Michael Montross, Greg Halich, Jordan Shockley, David Van Sanford, Grant Gardner | October 21, 2025 (Major Revision)

The soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in Kentucky provides flour for cookies, cakes, pastries, and crackers and is the fourth most valuable cash crop in the state. Winter wheat has been an integral part of crop rotation for Kentucky farmers. Wheat is normally harvested in June in Kentucky and provides an important source of cash flow during the summer months. Improvements in varieties and adoption of intensive wheat management practices have resulted in dramatically increased wheat yields.

PPA-1: Chemical Control of Turfgrass Diseases, 2024

Paul Vincelli | July 3, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Turfgrasses under intensive management are often subject to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Diseases usually are most damaging when weather or cultural conditions favor the disease-causing agent but not plant growth and vigor. Cultural conditions that predispose turfgrass to diseases include close mowing, inadequate or excessive fertility, light or frequent irrigation, excessive thatch, poor drainage, and shade.

PPA-46: Plant Diseases: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 5

Nicole Gauthier, Kelly Jackson, Kimberly Leonberger, Robbie Smith | January 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Anyone who has ever planted a garden knows not only the rewards of beautiful flowers, fruit, and/or vegetables, but also the disappointment when plants become diseased or damaged. Many factors cause plants to exhibit poor vigor, changes in appearance, or even death.

ID-194: Diagnosing Plant Problems: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 6

Jessica Bessin, Rick Durham, Nicole Gauthier, Adam Leonberger, Kimberly Leonberger, Matthew Springer, Lee Townsend, Stacy White, Erica Wood | January 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

For those with a green thumb, growing plants may seem easy. However, when plant problems arise, determining the cause of these issues can be difficult. Developing the skills necessary to determine the cause of a plant problem takes experience and time.

ID-227S: Guia de Monitoreo de MIP para Plagas Comunes de los Cultivos de Legumbres Horticolas en Kentucky

Ric Bessin, Nicole Gauthier, Cheryl Kaiser, Shubin Saha, Shawn Wright | December 22, 2023 (Major Revision)

Este manual es el resultado de los esfuerzos del equipo MIP para Vegetales de la Universidad de Kentucky. El financiamiento para esta publicacion en ingles fue proporcionado por el Programa de Manejo Integrado de Plagas. La version en espanol de esta publicacion fue posible gracias a fondos de la USDA Smith-Lever.

ID-172s: Guia de Monitoreo de MIP para Plagas Comunes de los Cultivos de Solanaceas en Kentucky

Ric Bessin, Nicole Gauthier, Rachel Rudolph, Shawn Wright | December 22, 2023 (Major Revision)

Este manual es el resultado de los esfuerzos del equipo de MIP en vegetales de la Universidad de Kentucky.
Financiamiento para esta publicacion fue proporcionado por la Proteccion de Cultivos y Manejo de Plagas (CPPM), el Programa de Implementacion de Extension (EIP), propuesta No. 2021-70006-35440 de el Instituto Nacional de Alimentos y Agricultura de la USDA. La version en espanol de esta publicacion fue posible gracias a fondos de la USDA Smith-Lever.