We finally received significant rainfall late last week and over the weekend. Monitor disease carefully as more rain is forecast for mid-week. Early peach varieties are coming into harvest, as strawberry and blueberry harvests continue.
Key Takeaways for Growers This Week
- Most of the state finally received rain – disease pressure is likely to increase
- Peach harvest has begun – the earliest varieties are being picked now
- Cucumber beetles showing up in watermelon – treat now to help manage populations later in the season
- Spring crops are progressing well – including tomatoes, squash, okra, and peppers.
The latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast is available now.
Lowcountry Report
Anna Sara Hill
- The area finally got some much-needed rain this past weekend. Not nearly enough to get out of the drought status, but it is a start and will help the crops.
- More watermelon transplants were planted last week. A few Extension Agents helped plant a watermelon variety trial for the SC Watermelon Association this past Thursday.
- Watermelon vines planted early in April had a growth spurt with the warmer weather early last week and are growing off the plastic.
- Spider mites remain a problem for some growers, while others have gotten them under control.
- Cucumber beetles were observed in an early planting of watermelons that had started blooming, and on another farm, where volunteer squash was growing. Although they may not be causing much damage currently, it is important to treat them now and get them under control so populations will be reduced later in the season when they cause economic damage to fruit.
- Blueberries in the area are ripening, and picking will begin soon.
- Strawberries in the area are still bearing well.
Zack Snipes
- We finally received some rain. We could use more, but I am more than thankful for what we got.
- Last week, a group of agents and specialists went to Cottle Farms in Faison, NC, to review their cultivar trials. They have multiple cultivars at varying stages of development that will be released soon. We got to see these cultivars in the field side by side and taste all of them. I am very excited about some of the new cultivars that should be available soon.
- With the recent rains and cloudy, gloomy weather, I expect an uptick in disease this week.
- Folks should have gotten out a fungicide ahead of the rain for strawberries. If not, as soon as growers can get into the field, a spray of a group 3, 7, 11, or 12 fungicide will help to finish the season strong. Check the MYIPM app for more details.
- Most crops look really strong right now with relatively few issues. We are harvesting highbush blueberries in high volume, as well as squash and zucchini.
Midlands Report
Sarah Scott
- Peach season has officially begun in the Ridge. The earliest varieties are just beginning harvest, while fruit thinning (mainly cluster busting) is happening in some of our later varieties that still have small green fruit.
- An issue in many orchards right now is drought-stressed trees. Even with irrigation, some growers have been trying to conserve water, and until this weekend, we have been extremely dry. Fertilizer has not had a chance to get down into the soil and roots fully, and trees are looking yellow or have shorter terminal growth. Rain will help with this issue, but we will need more than we received over the weekend to begin seeing drastic improvement.
- We will be watching strawberry fields closely for disease popping up following the rain, but we have had a relatively disease-free start to the season.
Pee Dee Report
Brittney King
- The Pee Dee received some much-needed rain over the weekend. We could use more rain events like that, and luckily, it appears more is forecast for later this week.
- Strawberries are still being harvested in the Pee Dee in decent volumes. It seems the cooler weather slowed their flowering a bit, but other than that, the dry weather helped this season go much more smoothly in terms of disease pressure. With rain forecast later this week and cooler night temps, it will be important to keep an eye out for diseases like gray mold.
- Tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, okra, and other spring crops are progressing well as long as irrigation has been provided. Younger cucurbit crops have suffered some wind damage, but nothing too severe.
- Blueberries are starting to come into harvest, and blackberries have green fruit that is starting to color up.
Upstate Report
Briana Naumuk
- Here in the upstate, temperatures have fallen off over the weekend. We will still have some cooler nights during the week, but much warmer days. Rain is predicted for later in the week. Keep an eye on the forecast and adjust your spray schedule accordingly. Be sure to monitor the weather closely as the rain has been unpredictable.
- As a reminder, we are in an extreme drought. So make sure things are getting enough water.
- There is fruit set on our apple trees. There has been slight damage from late frost/freeze. The cool temperatures we have experienced recently could make apples a little smaller this year.
- Blueberries are on track for harvest after experiencing some loss from a late frost/freeze.
Question of the Week
Why is this developing peach bleeding this gummy substance?
Answer in the comments below and check back on Thursday to see the answer.
Don’t forget to look at the Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Have a great week!
The South Carolina Grower 