Tim Waters

Potato growers across Washington are invited to participate in the 2025 Washington Commercial Potato Seed Lot Trial.  To participate, growers can submit samples of 200 whole (single-drop) seed or a minimum of 50 lbs.  The whole seed potatoes should be only 2-4 oz.; seed over 6 oz wi...

Earlier this year, Washington State University’s Dr. Tim Waters was honored by the Pasco Chamber of Commerce's Ag Hall of Fame with the Rising Star Award.  Waters noted he appreciates how embraced he was by the industry, and the individuals who were willing to teach him.   “I did...

While not a record-breaking winter, temperatures have been below normal over the past couple of months for many locations across the PNW.  That, said Washington State University’s Dr. Tim Waters, is good news, especially for row crop growers.   He not...

With the cool, wet weather of the spring, plant growth for many crops has been slowed considerably. But that does not mean pest activity has slowed as well. Washington State University’s Dr. Tim Waters said the slower growth rates allows pests and diseases to out compete the crop for needed resources. A g ...

As the Pacific Northwest gears up for another growing season, many have wondered what, if any impact the extreme heat of 2021 will have on the year head. Washington State University’s Dr. Tim Waters said there was no doubt last year’s heat, which saw temperatures into the high 110’s had an impact on pest populations. “Growers ...

The cold temperatures the Pacific Northwest saw to ring in the New Year may help farmers later this growing season. Washington State University’s Dr. Tim Waters says while those frigid temperatures will do little to the insect and disease population, the temps will disrupt where many of those pest like to live; volunteer potatoes. ...

As the farming community continues the slow trek toward normalcy, the row crop sector will take a noticeable step Thursday June 24th, as Washington State University hosts their Potato Field Day in Othello. WSU’s Dr. Tim Waters said this year’s Field Day will not be like those from the past. This year’ ...

Thanks to cooler temperatures, the disease pressure on vegetable growers across the Inland Northwest has been relatively light, but growers are reminded to continue to scout. Dr. Tim Waters with Washington State University said typically this time of year, potato growers need to worry about late blight, while onion growers need to keep an eye out for Downy Mildew ...

Dr. Tim Waters with Washington State University-Extension is warning row crop growers to be on the lookout for Yellow Nutsedge this season. He noted they’ve already seen a lot of this difficult weed across the Columbia Basin. “One of the places in the rotation where you can do a better job of controlling it is in corn.  So as gro ...

With temperatures warming and more and more producers getting out into the field, its important potato growers are mindful of disease pressures that could come down the road. Washington State University Extension’s Dr. Tim Waters said one of the main concerns this season will be the Colorado Potato Beetle, thanks mainly to the mild weather across much of the area. Wat ...