Florida Weather: Rainfall during July kept soil moisture supplies at adequate levels. Frequent scattered showers during August interrupted the laying of some plastic and other field preparations. However, producers also irrigated some acreage in drier localities. Weed and worm populations escalated rapidly in wetter areas with many growers spraying for the control of pests on recent plantings. Rain and wind caused by tropical systems also interrupted some field activities during September. Rains from Tropical Storm Hanna, falling about mid-month, and storms caused by Tropical Storm Isidore at the end of the month slowed some planting. However, producers reported no significant damage from these storms. Mostly dry weather prevailed in early October as Hurricane Lili rushed northward through the Gulf with the storm pulling rains away from the Peninsula.

This first quarterly release for the 2002-2003 season shows acreage for harvest during fall months of October through December based on conditions existing October 1. Estimated acreage by growing region is no longer available.

Snap Beans: Acreage to be picked is set at 11,000 acres, up 2,000 acres or 22 percent from the 9,000 acres harvested during the fall of 2001. The crop escaped significant damage from the recent tropical storms.

Cabbage: Growers hope to harvest 500 acres, equal to the acreage cut during the fall of 2001.

Cucumbers For Fresh Market: Acreage to be picked this fall is estimated at 4,000 acres. This compares with 3,500 acres picked last fall. Harvesting is underway.

Sweet Corn: Producers expect to pick 4,700 acres this fall, down 200 acres from the 4,900 acres harvested last fall. Growers reported no significant damage to the crop from the recent tropical weather.

Bell Peppers: Acreage to be picked this fall is set at 4,900 acres. This compares with 4,500 acres harvested last fall. Wind and rain from recent tropical systems caused no significant damage to the crop. Harvesting is underway.

Tomatoes: Producers hope to pick 15,500 acres this fall, up 1,500 acres or 11 percent from the 14,000 acres harvested last fall. Picking around Quincy started in late September.

General: The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 168,550  acres, virtually unchanged from comparable commodities last year. Acreage increased for snap beans, cabbage, cucumbers, head lettuce, bell peppers, and tomatoes, while acreage decreased for broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and sweet corn. Area forecasted for melon harvest is 15,600 acres, up 6 percent from last year. Cantaloupe acreage is forecast at 9,700 acres, up 9 percent from 2001. Honeydew acreage is forecast at 4,900  acres, up 2 percent from last fall. Watermelon acreage is forecast at 1,000 acres, the same as last year.

Snap Beans: Fall fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 19,300 acres, up 12 percent from last year and 5 percent above 2000. Georgia has received several inches of rain in past weeks which should aid crop development. However, drier weather is needed so growers can begin harvest. The New Jersey crop is on schedule but dry conditions have reduced the projected yield. Drought conditions in Virginia had little effect on snap beans since most are irrigated, but high winds and temperature extremes have reduced quality and caused some bloom loss.

Cabbage: Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 6,300 acres, up 7 percent from last year and 2 percent above two years earlier. The Georgia crop has benefitted from several inches of rain in recent weeks. However, drier weather is needed to begin harvesting. New Jersey early plantings had sizing problems but conditions have improved for the fall crop. In Texas, wet and unseasonably cool conditions have been ideal for cabbage production. The crop is progressing well with few pest problems reported.

Sweet Corn: Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 9,000 acres, down 5 percent from last year but 10 percent morethan 2000. Yields in California are reported to be excellent. Demand for sweet corn has been very good and it appears the new varieties introduced last year are popular with consumers.
Cucumbers: Acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 8,050  acres, 12 percent above last year and 1 percent greater than 2000. South Carolina acreage has decreased from last year due to extreme drought conditions at planting time. In some areas of Texas, rains kept harvesters out of the fields and the cucumbers grew too large for use or rotted in the fields. Cucumber harvest in the Plains was nearing completion. In Virginia, hot days and cold nights have slowed crop development.

Bell Peppers: Fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 5,400  acres, up 4 percent from 2001 but 31 percent less than 2000. In Florida, rain from scattered showers boosted growth and development during September and caused only a few delays in planting. The Texas harvest is mostly complete and appears to be a smaller crop than last year due to lack of moisture in late spring and early summer.

Tomatoes: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 25,500 acres, up 4 percent from last year and 12 percent above 2000. California growers expect ample supplies from the fall harvest. Most summer temperatures, except for a heat wave in July that adversely affected yields at that time, were conducive to tomato growth and are expected to help the quality of the fall crop.

Watermelons: Arizona acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 1,000 acres, unchanged from both 2001 and 2000. Arizona's fall season is typical following a long and hot summer with below normal moisture.

FALL ACREAGE

Vegetables for fresh market, prospective acreage for harvest, October, November and December, by States, 2002 with comparisons
Selected crops and States	Usual harvest period	Fall acreage			2002 area for harvest as percent of 2001
		Harvested		For harvest 2002
		2000	2001
		Acres			Percent
SNAP BEANS:
Florida	Oct-Dec	10,000	9,000	11,000	122
Georgia	Sep-Dec	4,500	4,500	4,500	100
New Jersey	Sep-Nov	2,000	1,800	1,800	100
Virginia	Sep-Oct	1,900	2,000	2,000	100
Total		18,400	17,300	19,300	112
CABBAGE:
Florida	Oct-Dec	900	500	500	100
Georgia	Sep-Dec	3,000	3,500	4,100	117
New Jersey	Sep-Nov	700	500	500	100
Texas	Sep-Nov	1,600	1,400	1,200	86
Total		6,200	5,900	6,300	107
SWEET CORN:
Florida	Oct-Dec	4,200	4,900	4,700	96
California	Oct-Dec	4,000	4,600	4,300	93
Total		8,200	9,500	9,000	95
CUCUMBERS:
Florida	Oct-Dec	4,700	3,500	4,000	114
South Carolina	Oct-Dec	600	800	650	81
Texas	Sep-Nov	1,400	1,500	1,400	93
Virginia	Sep-Oct	1,300	1,400	2,000	143
Total		8,000	7,200	8,050	112
EGGPLANT:
Florida  1/	Oct-Dec	700	700	--	--
BELL PEPPERS: 2/
Florida	Oct-Dec	7,000	4,500	4,900	109
Texas	Sep-Nov	800	700	500	71
Total		7,800	5,200	5,400	104
TOMATOES:
Florida	Oct-Dec	13,300	14,000	15,500	111
California	Oct-Dec	9,500	10,500	10,000	95
Total		22,800	24,500	25,500	104
TOTAL OF CROPS LISTED
Florida		40,800	37,100	40,600	109
United States		72,100	70,300	73,550	105
TOTAL OF CROPS ESTIMATED
United States 3/		183,300	185,100	184,150	99
1/ Estimates discontinued in 2002. 2/ Includes fresh market and processing. 3/ Total of crops listed plus broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, endive/escarole, head lettuce, cantaloupes, honeydew melons and watermelons.