The Home and Garden Information Center

The Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) provides research-based information on landscaping, gardening, plant health, household pests, food safety and preservation, and nutrition, physical activity & health. HGIC is designed to complement Clemson’s network of professionals and volunteers by answering the routine types of calls and thereby freeing agents to deal with commercial agriculture/horticulture questions and conduct proactive programming to larger audiences. 1-888-656-9988 (SC residents only, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, M – F)

In the Garden
Photo Blog
Tasty Bites
Recipes

Kudzu: The Vine Covering The South

Aug 13, 2026 | In the Garden

Kudzu is one of the South's most invasive vines. Learn how to identify it, understand its growth, and choose the best control methods.

South Carolina Field Update (August 10, 2026): Two-Spotted Cotton Leafhopper Found

Aug 11, 2026 | In the Garden
This Month in Your Garden – August 2026

Aug 7, 2026 | In the Garden
South Carolina Field Update (August 3, 2026): Heavy Rain Falls as Planting Continues

Aug 4, 2026 | In the Garden
South Carolina Field Update (July 27, 2026): Fall Planting Has Begun

Jul 28, 2026 | In the Garden
How To Grow and Care for Ornamental Sweetpotato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

Jul 27, 2026 | In the Garden

August 10 Week 2 Garden Photos

Aug 10, 2026 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

Barbara’s first retirement adventure took her out West to beautiful Denver, CO. The Denver...

August 03 Week 1 Garden Photos

Aug 3, 2026 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants
July 27 Week 4 Garden Photos

Jul 27, 2026 | Photo Blog
July 20 Week 3 Garden Photos

Jul 20, 2026 | Photo Blog
July 13 Week 2 Garden Photos

Jul 13, 2026 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants
July 06 Week 1 Garden Photos

Jul 6, 2026 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

Make the Most of Farmers Market Season: Food Safety Tips for South Carolina Home-Based Food Producers

Aug 13, 2026 | Tasty Bites

Selling at a farmers market? Follow these food safety, labeling, and product display tips to help your South Carolina food business succeed.

Serving Foods Outdoors in Hot Weather: Food Safety Tips for Cookouts and Picnics

Aug 10, 2026 | Tasty Bites
Bulk Buying: A Smart Way to Save Money and Reduce Food Waste

Aug 6, 2026 | Tasty Bites
What is Fiber and Why It Matters for Digestion

Aug 3, 2026 | Tasty Bites
Preserving Your Harvest: Safe Ways to Enjoy Summer Produce All Year Long

Jul 30, 2026 | Tasty Bites
Keeping Food Safe When Dining Outdoors: Summer Food Safety Tips

Jul 20, 2026 | Tasty Bites

Creamy Fruit Salad

Sep 2, 2022 | Recipes

Salad: 8 cups of mixed fruit cut into bite-sized pieces (apple, grapes, pineapple, strawberries,...

Blueberry, Peach, and Cucumber Salad

Sep 1, 2022 | Recipes
BLT Pasta Salad

Aug 31, 2022 | Food, Recipes
Hibiscus Ginger Tea

Jun 22, 2022 | Recipes
Banana Blueberry Muffins

Jun 21, 2022 | Food, Recipes
Apple and Pear Waldorf Salad

Nov 22, 2021 | Recipes

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Food

National Sweet Tea Day

Aug 18, 2022 | Freezing Basics, Tasty Bites

Iced tea has been on the menu since the 1870s. What made the iced tea novel wasn’t the tea but the...

National Ice Cream Day

Jul 5, 2022 | Food, Freezing Basics
Food Safety in Hurricanes & Floods

Mar 16, 2022 | Emergency, Food, Safe Handling
Going Fishing?

Jul 2, 2021 | Tasty Bites

Vegetable

Managing Fire Ants in the Vegetable Garden

Nov 4, 2021 | Fruits & Vegetables, In the Garden, Vegetables

Fire ants can damage vegetable crops and disrupt gardens. This guide outlines how to manage infestations using baits, mound treatments, and safe insecticides tailored for vegetable gardens.