Author: Justin Ballew

Whiteflies are a common pest on brassica crops, including kale. Learn about their life cycle, feeding habits, and the damage they can cause, including the development of sooty mold.

Ever spotted a strange foam blob on a plant stem? It might be the ootheca of the Chinese mantid—a nonnative predator capable of hatching hundreds of young. Learn how to identify this egg mass, what mantids eat, how big they get, and why they’re both fascinating and formidable in the garden.

What’s wrong with your kale leaves? White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is emerging in South Carolina’s brassica fields. This fungus thrives in cool weather, causing leaf spots, white fungal growth, and plant decline. Learn how to identify and manage this disease before it spreads in your garden or field.

Noticing damage on your Lacinato kale leaves? This is likely cold damage, as Lacinato tends to be more sensitive than curly varieties like Winterbor. The good news is that new growth remains unaffected, and the plant will recover. Cold snaps following warm weather can stress leafy greens, but using row covers can help protect smaller plantings from temperature swings.

Curious about the tiny black and white critters on your plants? Minute pirate bugs are helpful predators that control pests like aphids and mites. Learn more about how they benefit your garden and the importance of minimizing pesticide use to protect them.

The green circular patterns and discoloration on this pumpkin are caused by a viral infection, commonly found in fall cucurbit crops in South Carolina. Spread by aphids or cucumber beetles, these viruses often result in mosaic patterns and may be confused with herbicide damage.

Why does this tomato appear scarred on one side but normal on the other? This tomato is scarred on the side facing the prevailing winds. It was found on the outside row, next to a dirt drive row and...

What is this crazy-looking thing found on butterfly milkweed? This hairy thing is the caterpillar of the native milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle), also called the milkweed tiger moth. Like the...