Author: Justin Ballew
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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,…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/10/25
As the weather warms, strawberry crops are progressing rapidly across the state. Growers are beginning disease control programs and scouting for mites. Spring veggies are starting to go in to the ground along the coast. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss any of our winter/spring…
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Question of the Week – White Mold
What’s wrong with these kale leaves? These leaves are infected with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal fungus of white mold. White mold is showing up in brassica fields now in South Carolina. Initial development is initiated when cold weather triggers sclerotia (hard, black survival structures found in the soil) to produce tiny mushrooms that release spores.…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/3/25
The weather this past week gave us a preview of Spring, which is only a couple weeks away. Strawberry growers have begun fertilizing and will protect blooms from frosts from here on out. Blueberries and peaches are beginning to bloom and some spring brassicas are going into the ground. See details below. This past week,…
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Question of the Week – Grass Spiders
What created this webbing that Anna Sara found in her lawn? Early one morning the dew was lying thick on the grass and the fog was hanging heavy in the air. It reminded me of the Burl Ives foggy, foggy dew song. As the sun rose and started burning away the dense fog, I noticed some…
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Biologicals Made Easy: Grouping and Understanding Biological Fungicides
Johanna Wesche and Guido Schnabel, Clemson University Biologicals are gaining interest in modern agriculture for several reasons. They are used in organic farming to suppress pests and diseases and may have a place in spray programs used in conventional farming when disease pressure is low, when fungicide efficacy is threatened by resistance development, or when…
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Weekly Field Update – 2/24/25
After a few cold nights, things will be warming up this week. Peaches and blueberries are starting to come out of dormancy and strawberries are starting to wake up as well. Be ready to act as pest activity is expected to increase as temperatures rise. See details below. SC Farm Bureau has extended the deadline…
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Good Progress on Breeding a Downy Mildew-Resistant Pickling Cucumber, 2024 Update
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath I am part of an exciting collaboration with Dr. Michael Mazourek from Clemson University to help him complete the breeding and selection process for a new pickling cucumber with high levels of resistance to downy mildew. Field work at the Clemson Coastal REC in Charleston started last fall. We…
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QotW Grower Spotlight – Rosebank Farms
Where is Zack this week? In this month’s Grower Spotlight, Zack is visiting a Lowcounty gem of a farm. Rosebank Farms, operated by Sidi Limehouse, is located on the far end of John’s Island and has been in business since 1975. The farm grows a variety of fruits and vegetables that supply the bustling restaurant scene…
The South Carolina Grower 