Author: Justin Ballew

This is a corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) boring into a tomato. This common caterpillar pest is known by other names, including tomato fruitworm, cotton bollworm, and soybean podworm. Corn earworms...

Midlands Region Rob Last The area’s soil has been dry, with no significant rainfall recorded since mid-October until this past weekend. Following last week’s freeze events, growth is recovering well...

Common vetch (Vicia sativa) is starting to show up in vegetable fields. Vetch is a cool-season weed that begins germinating in the fall and begins blooming in the winter, peaking in the spring....

Midlands Region Rob Last Following last week’s freeze event, I am seeing some freeze injuries, as can be expected for sensitive crops such as tomatoes. Further damage may become evident in the next...

Coastal Region Zack Snipes We are very dry in the Lowcountry and could really use a good rain to water strawberries in. There is no mention of rain in the 10-day forecast, unfortunately. We are...

This hole was most likely made by a melonworm. A hole this size is actually an exit hole chewed by the worm on its way out to pupate. Before that, the worm was inside the bloom feeding on the...

This squash is showing abnormal growth, known as fasciation. Fasciation is the abnormal development of a meristem or growing point. The cause of this condition is not well understood but is most...

The light-colored discoloration on these zucchini plant leaves is known as Squash Silverleaf Disorder (SSL) and is the result of immature whiteflies feeding on the squash leaves. SSL reduces the...

Coastal Region Zack Snipes A bit chilly this morning, with the temperature at 50 °F. The dry weather in October has really prevented the spread of black rot in brassicas. I am seeing a good bit of...

Coastal Region Zack Snipes I’m scared to mention the word “fall,” but lately, it’s felt a little like…fall. I hope we planted enough pumpkins for all the pumpkin spice lattes...

This squash is showing symptoms of a virus. There are numerous viruses that affect cucurbit crops, which may be transmitted in various ways, such as by insects (aphids, whiteflies, cucumber...