Weekly Field Update – 9/8/25

The weather has dried up enough to allow growers to prep fields for more fall planting. Strawberry fields are being bedded and fumigated. Muscadines are being harvested now and look great. 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

•  We have had great nighttime temperatures, warm days, and just the right amount of rain this past week. Fields have dried out enough to get back in to prepare for fall crops and get ready for strawberries. 
• For strawberry growers, right now is the time to apply your preemergent herbicides. Most chemistries have a 30-day plant back window, so do not miss this opportunity or you will have weed issues this fall and in the spring. DO NOT USE Sandea!
• We will be performing some in-line fumigation for a few strawberry growers in the next few weeks. We are hoping to dial in our skills to be ready to show off how to use this “new to us” technology in Savannah at the SE Fruit and Vegetable Expo.

Midlands

Sarah Scott

• From one extreme to another, we are going into a dry spell. The positive thing about that is we can control the amount of water going to crops and reduce risk of root rot issues that can occur in periods of wet weather.
• Crops such as eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini and cherry tomatoes are growing nicely. We are keeping an eye on the choanephora blight issues in the bell pepper field. So far it seems to be slowing down in the dry weather.
• We are moving into field prep for the next planting of peach trees that will go in this winter. Older trees are being pushed up and burned and fields are being raked and plowed to make way for a fresh start.

Upstate

Andy Rollins

• Growers are fumigating for strawberry production across the Upstate. Fumigants need to be put soon for strawberries as there is a 21 day plant back time period for the primary fumigants like Pic60 and TeloneC35.
• Pictured below is a newer technique of injecting the fumigant through the drip line using a water soluble biological fumigant, called Dominus, that is derived from mustard and its relatives. It has a shorter 10 day plant back time that makes it easier for growers that can’t get everything done in time. Unfortunately the supply has been limited and difficult to source from Triest Ag Group, the primary fumigant purchasing destination. We are excited for a better strawberry growing year that will start very soon.
• Muscadine harvest is increasing due to some warm weather and sunshine. We are picking Supreme and just starting on Fry. I am picking Ohmy, a seedless muscadine and bunch grape hybrid. The brix/sugar content has been high, running 18-20% sugar.

Question of the Week – Grower Spotlight

What is Rob visiting this week?

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