Snow fell over most of the state last week with the Costal and Pee Dee regions seeing the most accumulation. Cold weather make for icy conditions over much of the week as the snow melted slowly during the day, then turned to ice overnight. While the weather held up a lot of work, growers will be back in the fields this week. See details below.
Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss any of our winter/spring meetings. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast below.
Don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. 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
- Not too much to report on this week as the Lowcountry was covered by snow and sleet for the week. We received 3 inches of sleet at my house and everything is still defrosting at the moment. Soils are super soggy.
- As temperatures warm up and things dry out, growers will be working fields and setting greens and onions.
- Some growers covered strawberries while others left them uncovered. A fungicide application is needed soon on berries as we’ve had lots of wetness and warming temperatures coming this week.
- Please save the date for the Preplant Growers Meeting in Charleston on February 25. More details and registration to come under the events tab on SCGrower.
Midlands
Rob Last
- After an exceptionally cold week in the Midlands, we are looking at a warming trend for this week.
- Many strawberry crops have been covered for the last week to minimize potential crown damage. Once covers have been removed, crop inspection for damage from the cool weather will be important. If you need assistance assessing any damage, please reach out to your agent. Monitoring covered crops also becomes important for managing diseases; I have seen active botrytis on previously damaged tissues. Remove any flowers as these can become a foci of infection.
Sarah Scott
- It has been a cold week around here! I had around 2.5 inches of snow in Aiken last Tuesday/Wednesday. Along with the snow came bitter cold which strawberry growers prepared for by putting heavier row covers on for insulation. Since the temperatures appear to be warming up for the foreseeable future, most growers will move to lighter row covers to allow more sunlight penetration and air movement.
- Peach trees are being planted as planting stock arrives. There have been reports from some nurseries that trees may be smaller this season due to drought conditions over the growing season last year. Nursery stock still looks good and healthy and will catch up quickly, so this is nothing to worry about.
- Peach pruning has started in most of the Ridge. Dormant oil applications will go out as the weather permits. It is recommended to apply two dormant oil applications to result in better control of scale throughout the season.
Question of the Week
What is wrong with the leaves of this Lacinato kale?
Answer in the comments below and check back on Thursday to see the answer.
The South Carolina Grower 