Summer Squash
Planting Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a warm-season crop that grows best at average temperatures between 65 and 75 °F. Squash seeds do not germinate well in cold soil. In the spring, do not...
Author: Barbara H. Smith
January 30 Week 5 Garden Photos
Perennials Native to South Carolina, Part 1 Blanket Flower(Gaillardia pulchella) Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson University Giant Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC,...
Brighten Up Your Home with Houseplants
Are these gloomy winter days getting you down? One way to brighten up your home is the addition of tropical houseplants. Some of my favorite flowering ones are moth orchids (Phalaenopsis species),...
January 23 Week 4 Garden Photos
Revisit some of Barbara Smith’s favorite insect and spider photos, Part 2 Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) and Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson...
Lettuce
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) withstands light frosts and is one of the easiest cool-season vegetables to grow. High summer temperatures usually cause seed stalk formation (bolting) and bitter flavor....
Cantaloupe & Honeydew Melons
Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) is commonly called muskmelon; however, no true cantaloupes are actually grown commercially in the United States. True cantaloupes are rough, warty fruit primarily grown in...
Cucumber
Planting Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a warm-season vegetable that grows best at temperatures between 75 and 85 °F. Cucumbers are very tender and can be killed by light frosts. Start cucumbers in...
Sweet Corn
Planting Sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa) is a warm-season crop that grows best at temperatures between 60 and 80 °F. The optimum soil temperature for seed germination is 60 to 95 °F. Sweet corn...
Bush & Pole-Type Snap Beans
Snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are primarily warm-season crops that grow best at average temperatures between 60 and 75 ºF. Snap beans can be tall-growing pole-type beans, half-runners, or the...
Cabbage & Chinese Cabbage
Planting Cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Capitata Group) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa, Pekinensis Group) are cool-season vegetables that should be grown in early spring or fall. They grow best at...
Asparagus
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a hardy perennial that is native to the Mediterranean. Once the plants are established, they will provide delicious spears every spring. Although asparagus takes...
Onion, Leek, Shallot, & Garlic
Onions and the related shallots, leeks and garlic all grow best during cool weather and are usually planted in the fall in South Carolina for late spring harvest. Onion plants can also be planted in...