Author: Greg Reighard

Pear trees, both European and Asian types, are particularly difficult, as fire blight can reduce yields or even kill trees. Proper fruit thinning is essential for quality, and wildlife often consumes low-hanging fruit before harvest. Gardeners should consider the time, budget, and effort required before planting these crops.

Master pruning techniques to promote healthier growth of peaches and nectarines.

Despite being a top peach-producing state, South Carolina growers face significant challenges. Diseases like brown rot and pests such as scale demand intensive management. Peaches also require annual pruning and fruit thinning for quality production. Additionally, selecting the right varieties is difficult, as chilling hour requirements can fluctuate greatly each year.

Apple diseases, including fire blight, scab, and cedar-apple rust, severely impact production in South Carolina. While apple trees grow statewide, commercial orchards are confined to the Blue Ridge region, where cooler weather helps but does not eliminate the need for intensive disease management. Elsewhere, high disease pressure makes apple farming impractical, with most homegrown apples lost to disease.

Plum trees are not recommended for home gardeners, as they struggle with environmental factors and pest pressure, even under intensive care. The time and cost required for proper management often make backyard production impractical. While success is possible, these crops are generally best left to commercial growers.