Coming up this Thursday (12/9) will be Part 2 of the Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Grower Meeting. Speakers will be discussing bed formation and alternative fertilizers. This virtual meeting will start at 9 am. Click here to register.
Coastal Region
Rob Last reports, “Pest and disease activity in the area remain low with overall good development of crops. Strawberries continue to develop well with very few issues. Given the misty mornings we are seeing, disease pressures may begin to pick up. Remember to keep scouting regularly.
Midlands
Justin Ballew reports, “The weather last week was beautiful and we had our first real chance to accumulate some growing degree days in our strawberries. This is much needed as I’ve been getting several complaints of plants being small and slow-growing. Late planting and cool weather definitely have held us back so far this season. We have seen a little downy mildew in brassicas that may worsen with the heavy dew we’ve had the last few mornings. Other than that, brassica crops are looking great.”
Phillip Carnley reports, “Everything is fairly quiet in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties. With the lack of rain, disease pressure has been borderline nonexistent. The strawberries here are still a little behind due to the later planting but seem to be growing out well with no spider mites currently present. I have seen a decrease in the population of diamondback moth caterpillars in my area, but that does not mean stop scouting.”
The South Carolina Grower 