Author: Justin Ballew
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Pest and Disease Control Recommendations For Non-bearing Peach Orchards After Bloom
From Guido Schnabel, Brett Blaauw, and Phil Brannen Late frost has hurt many peach varieties in South Carolina and Georgia this year. The varieties that escaped the frost (the late bloomers with high chill requirements) still may have fruit and will probably go on a regular spray program, even if chill requirements were not met…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/27/23
Coming up this week, we have a Climate-Smart Project Farmer Interest Meeting on Thursday (3/30) at the Edisto REC in Blackville. Check out other upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab. 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…
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Question of the Week – Bess Beetles
This week, the question was: These beetles were found under a decaying log in the woods. What are they These are bess beetles, also called horned passalus beetles (Odontotaenius disjunctus). These are beneficial beetles that feed on decaying wood, helping it to break down further, which explains why they were found under a decaying log.…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/20/23
Coming up this week, we have a Climate-Smart Project Farmer Interest Meeting on Wednesday (3/23) at the Pee Dee REC in Florence. Check out other upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab. Don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Also, check out the latest…
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Question of the Week – Carpenter Bee
This week, the question was: What caused the slit in the sides of these blueberry flowers? These slits were made by carpenter bees. Carpenter bees commonly cut through blueberry flowers to access nectar from the side, rather than the open bottom. This practice, known as “nectar robbing,” minimizes contact with the flower’s reproductive parts, reducing…
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Produce Pricing Considerations
From Clemson Agribusiness Associate Kevin Burkett. “How much can I sell this for?” producers often ask. It is an important question and one that is not always easy to answer. Usually, there is a lot to consider in pricing produce. We discuss factors that affect what you want to charge. Pricing for produce can be…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/13/23
Coming up this week we have a Climate-Smart Project Farmer Interest Meeting on Wednesday (3/16) via Zoom. Check out other upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab. 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…
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Question of the Week – Cope’s Grey Treefrog
This week, the question was: What kind of frog is sitting in this pine tree? This is a Cope’s grey treefrog. I found this little guy while walking through the woods, scoping out turkey hunting spots. This species spends most of the year high in the trees, so finding it down low is likely a…
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Clemson Extension is Hiring
Clemson Extension currently has two fruit and vegetable-related positions open. If you are interested in working with Clemson University while serving the fruit and vegetable farming community, these could be the jobs for you. See the listings below or share with anyone you know that may be interested. Fruit and Vegetable Agent, Pee Dee Region…
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Weekly Field Update – 3/6/23
We have lots of fruit and vegetable meetings coming up over the next couple of months, so check out the Upcoming Events tab for the complete lineup. This week, we have the Midlands Spring Vegetable Meeting, Blueberry Management and Maintenance, the upstate Vegetable Meeting, and the Pea and Butterbean Production Meeting. Don’t miss them! Don’t…
The South Carolina Grower 