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

This Month in Your Garden – September 2025

Sep 5, 2025 | In the Garden

South Carolina September garden guide: fall planting, lawn care, pollinator flowers, pest control, and perennial maintenance tips.

South Carolina Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – September 2, 2025

Sep 2, 2025 | In the Garden
Fall Preparation for Free Shoreline Propagation

Sep 1, 2025 | In the Garden
Two-Spotted Scoliid Wasp: A Gentle and Valuable Garden Visitor

Aug 28, 2025 | In the Garden
South Carolina Fruit & Vegetable Field Report – August 25, 2025

Aug 26, 2025 | In the Garden
How to Grow and Care for Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)

Aug 21, 2025 | In the Garden

September 1 Week 1 Garden Photos

Sep 1, 2025 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

The stunning Riverbanks Botanical Garden in Columbia opened on June 10, 1995 on one of the most...

August 25 Week 4 Garden Photos

Aug 25, 2025 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants
August 18 Week 3 Garden Photos

Aug 18, 2025 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants
August 11 Week 2 Garden Photos

Aug 11, 2025 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants
August 4 Week 1 Garden Photos

Aug 4, 2025 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants
July 28 Week 4 Garden Photos

Jul 28, 2025 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

Kimchi Basics and How to Make Homemade Kimchi

Sep 4, 2025 | Tasty Bites

Discover kimchi basics and follow our simple recipe to make probiotic-rich homemade kimchi at home.

Supporting Food Allergy Families at Cookouts and Events

Sep 3, 2025 | Tasty Bites
Healthy After-School Snacks for Kids

Aug 25, 2025 | Tasty Bites
Water Storage Safety: How to Prepare for Emergencies

Aug 12, 2025 | Tasty Bites
Benefits of Batch Cooking for Busy Schedules and Budget Savings

Aug 11, 2025 | Tasty Bites
Water Infusion Recipes Using Fresh South Carolina Produce

Aug 4, 2025 | 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 | 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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Events

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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

Vegetables

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.