Weekly Field Update – 11/20/23

From the SC Grower crew, we hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving later this week! Be sure to eat lots of fresh SC grown collard greens and sweetpotatoes!

Check out upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab, and don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast.

Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question of the Week, and check back on Thursday for the answer.

Coastal Region

Zack Snipes

• We finally got a few drops of rain this past week. We could certainly use some more, but what little we got did us good.
• The fall greens and other crops look gorgeous right now and are coming off in good volumes. No real issues to report, but stay on the lookout for insects and diseases.
• Strawberry growers that have had Phytophthora issues in the past or have suspect plants this year can apply their first application of product to battle this disease.  Most folks are either running or spraying Ridomil. In recent years, most folks are spraying the product as plant root systems are small and may have issues taking up the product if applied through the drip.  

Midlands

Phillip Carnley

• Leafy greens look great here in the midlands. Broccoli is coming in strong with outstanding quality. Depending on variety, cabbage is sizing up well and a few small growers have timed them right for Thanksgiving. Diamondback caterpillar is still a concern and I have seen it in a few cabbage. Collards, turnips, rutabaga, and mustard are all being harvested as they are ready, with little to no issue other than aphids. 
• Strawberries are doing well. There are still a few lingering signs of phytophthora root rot. If your plants look weak, pull a few up, and if the roots are discolored and sloughing off, that is a pretty good indicator of phytophthora root rot. Treatments would include Ridomil, Orondis Gold, or any of the phosphonates. Albion is blooming currently and doing well. Keep an eye out for spider mites in these dry conditions.
• Blueberries are doing well and have put on many new canes. Pruning is right around the corner, if you haven’t already started. Hedging can be used to maintain plant health and vigor, and if hand pruning is economical, a heavy rejuvenating prune is recommended if plants have not previously been managed. 
• Older peach orchards are currently being ripped out and prepped for newer plantings.
• Pecans are still being collected. 

Rob Last

• Crops are developing well in the area.
• Strawberries are developing well and pushing new leaves out quickly. I am seeing evidence of aphids in strawberries and brassicas. At present, the numbers are very low.
• Diamondback moth pressure remains low; however, keep an eye out for loopers in brassicas.
• Disease pressures in crops remain relatively low.
• Keep scouting to monitor pest and disease activity in crops.

Question of the Week

What’s wrong with this sweetpotato that was found in a grocery store?

Answer in the comments below and check back on Thursday to see the answer.