LATEST POSTS
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Question of the Week – Chinese Mantid Ootheca
What is this thing that looks like a piece of foam stuck to a blueberry cane? This is the ootheca, or egg mass, of the Chinese mantid (Tenodera aridifolia). Chinese mantids are nonnative predatory insects that much larger than the native Carolina mantid. Mantids are generalist predators that will prey on just about any insect…
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Field Scouting and Identification of Diseases on Cucurbits in South Carolina
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath For anyone who missed the Preplant Cucurbit Meeting on Feb. 7, 2025, at the Edisto Research and Education Center, here is a recap of the main points on scouting fields for cucurbit diseases. Table 1 shows which diseases are most likely to show up on different crops. Use this…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/24/25
Though we had some cool nights, we saw beautiful spring weather last week. Strawberry picking is just beginning in places. Peach bloom has peaked and we are entering shuck split in some varieties. We have been dry and windy, so keep a close eye out for spider mites. See details below. Clemson Extension is working…
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Question of the Week – Spinach
What are these seedlings that are just beginning to emerge from the ground? These are spinach seedlings. This spinach was direct seeded into growing beds. We see in the photo the cotyledons popping up through the holes in the plastic mulch in, what appears, to be a healthy stand with good germination. Spinach germinates in…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/17/25
Spring officially begins this week, though spring weather has been here for a little while now. Strawberries have really jumped in the last week and a few folks have had a chance to taste some. Peaches are in bloom and spring crops are starting to go into the ground. See details below. Clemson Extension is…
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March Grower Spotlight – Bush-N-Vine
Where has Andy been this week? In this month’s grower spotlight, Andy is visiting Bush-N-Vine Farm in York, SC. This is an innovative diversified farm, owned and operated by Bob Hall, that began growing truck crops and grew into a thriving business. They have multiple retail outlets and a growing CSA program. Bush-N-Vine grows peaches, strawberries,…
The South Carolina Grower 