At this time, due to COVID-19, all in-person Clemson Extension meetings have been postponed through June 1st. Keep an eye on the COVID-19 Resources page for updates.
The SCDA’s list of farms offering deliveries and pick-ups has grown significantly in the last week. View or contact LauraKate McAllister to be added to the list here.
Coastal
Zack Snipes reports, “The weather has significantly warmed which has really helped our crops. Strawberries are in peak production and growers are seeing record sales. Other direct market growers are seeing higher sales numbers right now as well. Tomatoes are looking good with no issues. Highbush blueberries are looking like they will have a decent crop and should be coming off soon. I have seen some freeze damage on the earliest varieties of highbush that endured very cold temperatures. Later season rabbiteye blueberries are in full bloom right now.”
Midlands
Justin Ballew reports, “The first half of last week was very wet, the second half was very warm. Strawberries are growing well, but harvest volumes haven’t picked up yet. Growers are easily selling everything they pick. Keep scouting for spider mites. After a very easy fall and winter, caterpillar populations are starting to climb in brassica crops. Be sure to get out and scout for those. Sweet corn is also up and growing.
Sarah Scott reports, “Fruit is developing nicely on peach trees with little to no signs of cold damage at this time. Vegetable transplants are going in now including squash, bell peppers, and eggplant. Strawberry harvest has begun. Spider mite populations are slightly high right now.
Pee Dee
Bruce McLean report, “It has just about turned into summer with temperatures (over the last few days) in the mid and upper 80s… and the crops have really responded. Muscadines have started leafing out across the region, with some early flower development occurring. Later blueberry varieties (like Tifblue, Onslow and Powderblue) are blooming heavily, while earlier varieties of blueberries have completed flowering, or getting near to completion. Strawberries are blooming and fruiting heavily, and there are some light volumes being picked now. Angular leaf spot is showing up on some strawberries. This is due to the wet conditions that we have been experienced, this year. Spider mites are still being found in strawberries. So, regular scouting is necessary.”
Tony Melton reports, “Growers are preparing land, bedding, and planting before this rain gets here. Most early sweetcorn is planted. Sweet potato beds are sprouting – along with weeds- kill the weeds now. Fresh market tomatoes and pepper are being planted. I have seen a lot of ugly strawberries from cinch bugs, stinkbugs, thrips, boron deficiency, etc. Butterbeans are being rapidly planted. Processing tomato and pepper land has been treated with Vapam- always follow all label directions. Cabbage is beginning to cup. There is more demand than strawberry supply right now.”
Upstate
Kerrie Roach reports, “Growers are trying to stay ahead of the game with some social distance mowing. No freeze damage spotted so far on apples or peaches in the Long Creek/Mt. Rest area. Bloom is very erratic and varies from tree to tree. Picture is of Mike Ables, with Ables Orchard bush hogging and a granny smith in full bloom.”
The South Carolina Grower 