Tag: spring crops
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South Carolina Field Update (April 20, 2026): Near-Record Heat Brings Sun Scalding Issues In Strawberries
As strawberry harvest is in full swing, sunscald has appeared on berries across the state. Issues with powdery mildew and spider mites are also still active. While we are all anxiously awaiting the rain forecast for this weekend, remember that rain can easily damage ripening strawberries. Be ready to sanitize fields. Check out this recent…
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South Carolina Field Update (April 13, 2026): Insects Are Up, Disease Is Down As Drought Continues
Dry, dusty conditions continue as near-record heat sets in this week. Though overall disease pressure is low, powdery mildew is appearing in multiple crops. The weather conditions are allowing insects and mites to thrive. Clemson Extension agents have been working hard the past year writing a cut flower manual. The new manual will be available…
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South Carolina Field Update (April 6, 2026): Crops Look Good So Long As the Irrigation is Running
Despite the forecast for a stormy Easter, most of the state remains dry after receiving very little rain. Strawberry picking is wide open in the Lowcountry and Midlands and is beginning in the Upstate. Disease remains low, though some dry-weather-related insect and mite problems are emerging. Key Takeaways for Growers This Week The latest episode…
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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 – 5/23/22
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question of the Week and check back on Thursday for the answer! Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “As we see temperatures increase strawberry flowering is reducing. Plants are still heavy with fruit, so managing diseases such as anthracnose and botrytis through…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/16/22
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question of the Week and check back on Thursday for the answer! Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “Last week was cooler and felt like spring again, but that seems to be gone now. We got a little rain late last week (0.4…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/9/22
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question of the Week and check back on Thursday for the answer! Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Spider mites in the area are increasing in number on a variety of crops including strawberries and watermelons. When choosing an insecticide always choose…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/3/21
Coastal Rob Last reports, “Botrytis (gray mold) is evident in places following rainfall. Sanitation and removal of the infected berries are critical to reducing inoculum loading. Fungicide applications will also be required to prevent spore germination and further spread of the disease. Where spider mite treatments have been applied, they have effectively reduced the populations but will…
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Weekly Field Update – 4/26/21
Join us this Wednesday (3/24/21) at 12:30 pm for an update from the tomato fields with Zack Snipes. It will be a relatively short meeting, lasting 30-45 minutes, so tune in while you eat your lunch. Click here to register. Coastal Rob Last reports, “Crops in the area continue to develop well, and I expect…
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Weekly Field Update – 4/12/21
Statewide Dr. Matt Cutulle reports, “I am starting to see some goosegrass popping due to soil temperatures being 65 F. Goosegrass will typically be problematic in more compacted areas of the field. In most broadleaf crops a Select or Poast post-emergent application will control emerged goosegrass. PRE herbicide options include Curbit and Dual Magnum (If…
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