LATEST POSTS
-
Question of the Week – Pecan Grafting
What is the green, shiny thing on this eggplant? This is the egg of a tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta). If you’ve ever grown tomatoes or eggplant, you’ve probably seen these large, green worms with a long horn on their rear end. Hornworms are a common pest of crops in the Solanaceae family. Because of their…
-
South Carolina Field Update (September 14, 2026): Muscadine Harvest Picks Up As Apple Harvest Begins
Warm temperatures persist, and scattered rain came late in the week. Apple harvest has begun in the very northwest corner of the state. Muscadine harvest is picking up with good yields and quality being reported. Disease incidence is increasing in several crops, so scout and treat accordingly. Key Takeaways for Growers This Week Pee Dee…
-
September Grower Spotlight – The Farm 1780
Where is Rob visiting this week? The Farm 1780 is an eighth-generation family farm dating back to the original King’s land grant of 1787. Originally, the grant covered 986 acres; today, the farm comprises 34 acres and is run by Brett and McKenzie Flashnick. The Farm is located off Corley Mill Road in Lexington. Brett…
-
South Carolina Field Update (September 8, 2026): Labor Day Brings Fall-like Weather
Labor Day arrived with some rain and much-anticipated cooler temperatures. Fall crops are establishing well, though we are seeing a few insect issues. Whiteflies are showing up in a number of crops. Muscadines are coming to harvest. See details below. Key Takeaways for Growers This Week Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Midlands Report Daniel Lyon…
-
Crop Rotation to Manage Cottony Leak on Pickling Cucumber
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath Key Takeaway for Growers: Grains or grasses cropped 1-2 years before pickling cucumber can help reduce cottony leak. The acreage of pickling cucumber fluctuates in South Carolina. Growers who are growing or considering growing this cucurbit should be aware of three fruit rots that are difficult to control with…
-
Question of the Week – Pecan Grafting
Virtually all commercial pecan trees are grafted. The graft union on this young tree is about 6 inches above the soil line. Where did the first successful pecan grafting occur? The first successful pecan grafting took place in Edgefield, South Carolina, in 1822 by a physician and businessman named Abner Landrum. Though he was not…
The South Carolina Grower 