Author: Justin Ballew
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Field Update – 8/19/19
Coastal Region Dr. Tony Keinath reports, “Phomopsis blight is showing up on eggplant at the Coastal REC. On susceptible cultivars, like ‘Black Beauty,’ the disease starts as leaf spots; later in the season stem cankers and fruit rot appear. Although several fungicides are registered on eggplant, none are specifically labeled for Phomopsis blight. Aprovia Top…
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SC Farmers Can Help Report Drought Conditions
No one keeps a closer eye on the weather and understands the impacts of drought more than farmers. Therefore, the US Drought Monitor is seeking help from farmers in reporting drought conditions. See the handout below and access the mobile friendly survey sight here. View the PDF with working links here: USDM DroughtImpactReporter SC flyer
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Field Update – 8/12/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We are in the middle of muscadine and scuppernong harvest right now. Okra and mixed peppers are still pushing out despite the heat. We had a great Strawberry Production Meeting in Charleston last week. If you have any questions on strawberry production now is the time to ask before planting.”…
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Field Update – 8/5/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Summer cover crops are looking good in the Lowcountry. Cowpeas are one of my favorite cover crops for their ability to shade out weeds, particularly nutsedge, and provide the land with nitrogen for the next crop planted. We have had some timely rains to keep everything green and prepare fields…
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Field Update – 7/29/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We are harvesting the last remaining things in the fields, preparing fields for fall planting, and planting fall pepper and tomato. I found an interesting disease in watermelon this week that is known as bacterial rind necrosis. While it is not entirely known what factors and pathogens cause the disease,…
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Charleston Grower Sidi Limehouse Named 2019 Swisher Sweets SC Farmer of the Year
Charleston produce grower Sidi Limehouse will represent South Carolina in the Swisher Sweets Farmer of the Year award program at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moutlrie, GA in October. Sidi grows and sells a variety of produce as well as cut flowers and a number of value added products. He is active in land conservation…
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Field Update – 7/22/19
Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “It was another fairly hot week with scattered afternoon showers. We’re about finished with the spring cucurbit and brassica crops and growers are planting some fall brassicas now. Peas, green onions, tomatoes, peppers and some eggplant are being picked now. Still seeing some cutworm damage showing up in hemp. They feed…
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What Makes a Good Peach?
Here is a great segment that aired on SC Public Radio this past week. It features upstate Clemson Extension Agent Andy Rollins discussing the SC peach crop and how to pick out the perfect peach. Check it out at the link below. https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/07/10/what-makes-a-good-peach
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Field Update – 7/15/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Most crops are finished here in the Lowcountry. There are a few crops that are being harvested for the final time this week. Fall watermelon and tomato are in the ground already. I saw some interesting cucumber beetle larvae damage on watermelons this past week. This type of damage will…
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Alternaria Leaf Blight Common This Year
From Clemson Extension Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. During the 2019 Cantaloupe Disease Survey, Alternaria leaf blight has been found in several fields. It was more common in fields that had not been sprayed recently than in fields sprayed on a regular schedule. It also was found in a field rotated only one year out of…
The South Carolina Grower 