The December 2, 2024, Fruit and Vegetable Field Report highlights how South Carolina growers are managing winter conditions. Fall brassicas are thriving, while strawberries face mixed results across regions. Coastal and inland updates address strategies for pest control, frost protection, and crop development heading into 2025.
This caterpillar is falling prey to the spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris), a beneficial stink bug species that hunts over 90 pest insects, such as caterpillars and beetles. Recognizable by their pointed shoulders and black wing spot, spined soldier bugs play a vital role in pest control. Learn how to identify them and distinguish them from plant-feeding stink bugs.
The November 25, 2024, SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report highlights favorable weather for fall crops, with greens thriving for Thanksgiving. While pest and disease issues remain minimal, strawberries show variable development heading into winter. Learn about brassica research updates, field day insights, and pest control tips, plus catch the latest SC Grower Exchange Podcast.
Weekly Field Update – 11/11/24 We finally got some rain this past week. Fall crops are coming along nicely with scattered insect and disease issues. Neopest is showing up in strawberries as plants...
Fall weather has arrived, and strawberry planting is in full swing. Conditions have been dry across the state since Hurricane Helene. Diseases and insects are showing up in places as the fall...
As cleanup from Hurricane Helene continues in the western parts of the state, crops are looking great elsewhere. Strawberry transplants are arriving on farms, and planting has begun in many places....
Hurricane Helene cast tropical storm forced winds over most of South Carolina Friday as she tore through Florida and Georgia. The western part of the state took the brunt of the damage and large...
The Pee Dee region is expecting rain from a potential tropical weather system this week. Fall crops are growing well with fairly low disease pressure. Caterpillar populations are climbing in places....
Conditions are quite dry across the state. Growers continue to prep strawberry fields, and muscadines are coming into harvest. Insect issues persist, and viruses are common in cucurbits this season....
The Coastal and Pee Dee regions have been drying out from Tropical Storm Debby. Fall crops are being planted in many areas. Peach harvest is coming to a close and muscadine harvest will begin soon....
The coastal region and Pee Dee saw lots of rain and flooding in places from Tropical Storm Debby last week. As field conditions improve this week, please document any crop or infrastructure impacts...
Scattered rain fell over the weekend. Peppers and okra are coming as the watermelon harvest finishes up. Disease and insect pressure remains high, and planning for strawberry planting is beginning....
