Coastal Region
Zack Snipes reports, “Summer crops are looking good and we are continuing with harvests. It seems like every crop is coming in right now from basil to zucchini. We have had mild temperatures and just the right amount of rain.
Midlands
Justin Ballew reports, “We had a few storms last week that brought rain to most of the midlands. Everything is growing well and we are really benefiting from the timely rain and mild temperatures. Growers are harvesting collards, kale, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and sweet corn.”
Sarah Scott reports, “Potatoes are being dug around Aiken. Conditions have been favorable for blackberry leaf rust. Plants that are affected will show small orange colored spots, or pustules on the undersides of leaves and on shoots. Pustules can appear on undersides of leaves as well. In severe cases defoliation can occur and a lack of vigor in canes. Refer the Small Fruit Consortium website for information on control and management.”
Pee Dee Region
Tony Melton reports, “Tomatoes are ripening. Sweet potatoes are mostly planted and lay-by has begun. Some peas are ready for harvest and the last of the collards are being harvested.”
Upstate
Andy Rollins reports, “Orange isn’t a good color to be seeing in your blackberry plants! Be on the look-out for leaf rust in Blackberry and get it properly identified. Over the last 2 weeks I have found this on 3 farms in the upstate and one in the midlands with another agent. This light orange colored leaf rust isn’t as destructive as the orange rust that can be found in the early spring on the ‘Navaho’ variety especially but it does deserve your attention. Spores can be found on the top and bottom of leaves so look closely sometimes it’s hard to see. There is a another leaf rust that has yellow colored spores. If you are still picking fruit, Rally or a generic product containing the same active ingredient ‘myclobutanil’ can be used but as always read and follow the label. Tilt (propiconazole) is labeled also but has a 30 day PHI. So, I would use Rally then follow with Tilt when I was finished picking. Hopefully this will help keep your blackberry patches clean. There maybe other options for organic growers also but I am not sure how effective they would be. NARBA (North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association) has a good article on this here https://www.raspberryblackberry.com/is-it-blackberry-leaf-rust-or-orange-rust/ .
The South Carolina Grower 