Statewide
Dr. Tony Keinath reports, “Downy mildew has moved into south Georgia on cucumber and watermelon. Growers should have downy mildew fungicides on hand and be ready to spray cucumber, cantaloupe, and watermelon when rain starts in the lower half of the state. A preventative spray of mancozeb or chlorothalonil would be a good idea in the meantime. You can keep track of the spread of downy mildew here.
Despite the dry weather, anthracnose was found on watermelon in the Bamberg/Barnwell County area last week. All watermelons in the state should be sprayed with mancozeb as a preventative.”
Coastal Region
Zack Snipes reports, “It has been unusually hot for the month of May. The current heat wave coupled with the lack of rain is really starting to have an impact on crops, even irrigated crops. The tomato and melon crops look good but are starting to feel the intense heat and lack of rain. I have seen very little disease and insect pressure on all crops.
Midlands
Justin Ballew reports, “This past week was hot and dry. It felt more like July than May. It’s been over two weeks now since we’ve had any rain and irrigation systems are running a lot. In larger fields with overhead irrigation, we are seeing some wilting where the pivots aren’t getting around fast enough. Drip irrigated crops are looking good. Silks are starting to brown on the earliest planted sweet corn. Blackberry picking will begin soon and muscadines have begun blooming.
The South Carolina Grower 