Author: Justin Ballew
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Question of the Week – Passionflower
This week, the question was: What is this crazy looking flower? This is a passion flower (Passiflora incarnata). Passion flower is fast-growing vine that is native to the Southeast. It shows up on the edges of fields and wooded areas, and many grow it in their yards as an ornamental. The flowers are attractive to…
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Weekly Field Update – 9/5/23
Recently, the results of the 2022 Farm Gate survey were posted showing data for several crops grown in SC. In the coming weeks, we will be collecting data for 2023 on a new set of crops. Extension Agents from around the state will be contacting growers to ask about this data. Our goal will be…
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Files for the Farm Business
From Extension Agribusiness Associate Kevin Burkett. Sometimes, in Extension, a farmer will ask what kind of recordkeeping system is required for the farm. It is an interesting question and one that can have several layers. If we think of all the records that a farm might be required to have, it can be a lot.…
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Question of the Week – Root-knot Nematodes
This week, the question was: What is wrong with these okra roots? The galling on these roots was caused by root-knot nematodes (RKN). We see nematodes build up in the soil when susceptible crops are planted in the same fields or beds year after year. Crop rotation is an important management strategy, but there is…
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Weekly Field Update – 8/28/23
Recently, the results of the 2022 Farm Gate survey were posted showing data for several crops grown in SC. In the coming weeks, we will be collecting data for 2023 on a new set of crops. Extension Agents from around the state will be contacting growers to ask about this data. Our goal will be…
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Question of the Week – Squash Beetles
This week, the question was: What is this critter that was found on the underside of a cucumber leaf? This spiky looking thing is a squash beetle larva. This is one of two species in the lady beetle family that feed on vegetable crops. The other is the Mexican bean beetle. Squash beetle adults look…
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Yellow-legged Hornet Sighted in Savannah, GA
From Clemson Apiculture and Pollinator Specialist Ben Powell. Recently, the Georgia Department of Agriculture reported that a specimen of the yellow-legged hornet (YLH) (Vespa velutina) was confirmed from Savannah, GA. This native of southeast Asia is a predator of other insects, often attacking colonies of other social wasps and bees, including western honey bee colonies.…
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Weekly Field Update – 8/21/23
Recently, the results of the 2022 Farm Gate survey were posted showing data for several crops grown in SC. In the coming weeks, we will be collecting data for 2023 on a new set of crops. Extension Agents from around the state will be contacting growers to ask about this data. Our goal will be…
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Question of the Week – Pickleworm
This week, the question was: What caused the hole in the side of this cucumber? (Nothing is wrong with the color. This cultivar is called Silver Slicer.) This week’s question is a review from a post Tom Bilbo wrote recently about pickleworms. Pickleworms feed on the blooms and tunnel into the developing fruit of cucurbit…
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Weekly Field Update – 8/14/23
Check out upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab, and don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question…
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