Midlands
Justin Ballew reports, “The weather was a little cooler this week. The soil is cooling down also and is causing some purpling at the tips of the leaves of brassicas (a sign of phosphorus deficiency). Roots have a hard time taking up nutrients in cold soil, so make sure your fertility is adequate. Caterpillar populations are still relatively low. We’re still seeing a few whiteflies, but their numbers seem a little lower this week also. Strawberries are looking great so far. We are about done with the fall crops.”
Sarah Scott reports, “There have been several nights where temperatures dipped into the low 30s and we have had a few frosty mornings along the Ridge. Pepper plants are beginning to come out and late summer/fall crops wrapping up. Broccoli continues to be harvested along with kale, spinach, sweet potatoes and collards. Peach growers are preparing their orchards for planting new trees.”
Pee Dee Region
Tony Melton reports, “Last week, I found Clubroot on collards in a home garden in Florence and the plant problem clinic confirmed. This is clubroot an awful disease of brassicas (greens, cabbage, etc.). It was first found in SC in 2015. That farm has a voluntary quarantine to keep it from spreading. Please do not move plants or soil and cause it to spread. It will stay in the soil for a long time (almost forever) and has the capability to destroy the brassica industry in SC. Brassica and sweet potato harvest are at full speed because of the possible cold damage this week.
The South Carolina Grower 