Soil Texture Analysis “The Jar Test”
Soil is a medium comprised of soil particles, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms, all of which are important to the overall health of the soil and the plants that grow in it. The three...
Author: Andrew "Drew" Jeffers
Citrus
Growing Citrus in containers can often bring a little slice of paradise to the garden and home. Although this is not a new practice, citrus fruits were a rare luxury in most of the United States...
Selecting Appropriate Pest Management Strategies
Spring is coming, and with it comes weeds, bugs, and diseases, oh my! Many home gardeners often get frustrated about what to do for various garden pests. Whether it is a weed, insect, or disease,...
Cover Crops
Cover crops, also known as green manures, are used by gardeners to add organic matter, protect the soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and add nutrients to the soil. Gardeners typically plant legume...
Clemson Extension Launches South Carolina Certified Landscape Professional Online Program
Clemson University’s Cooperative Extension Service is proud to offer a brand new program to the citizens of South Carolina! Many landscape professionals, whether in the private industry,...
Making More: Propagation by Cuttings
Summer is the perfect time of the year to propagate perennials, shrubs, and trees by stem cuttings. The primary benefit of cuttings is that all offspring are clones, retaining the same genetic...
Azalea Lace Bugs
Azalea lace bugs can be a very destructive pest in home landscapes. Lace bugs feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts during both the nymph and adult life stages. The resulting damage appears as a...
Attracting Beneficial Insects
The month of May brings many beautiful flowers and other delights in the garden. However, it also brings potential insect pests. Many gardeners are becoming more and more aware of the potential...
Rain Gardening Ideas
Recently, an impressive amount of rain has fallen in South Carolina. With excess rainfall, also comes an increased potential for stormwater runoff. A landscape feature that can help mediate...
Pruning Hydrangeas
Many people get confused about when to prune hydrangeas. It is essential to know which species or cultivar you have to determine when to prune. Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) set flower...
Dealing With Spring Drainage
Winter is the perfect time to install a drainage solution to remove standing water in the yard by adding surface drains, French drains, or both. Removing excess standing water helps with disease...
Is It Time To Prune My Trees And Shrubs?
Many early spring flowering trees and shrubs begin to break out of dormancy in late February. However, gardeners often miss the beautiful tree or shrub flower show because they pruned too early....