Author: Paul Thompson

Cicadas Have Left Their Mark

Jun 10, 2024 | In the Garden

Do not be surprised to start seeing evidence of the periodic cicada invasion. Females damage small branches by their egg-laying activities. They use their ovipositor to cut slits through the bark...

Chinese Fringetree Puts on a Show in the Spring

Apr 29, 2024 | In the Garden

Many of you may be familiar with our native fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus, often called Grancy graybeard, granddaddy graybeard or old man’s beard. It is a wonderful small tree that grows...

The Aliens Are Coming

Mar 25, 2024 | In the Garden

Every 13 years, a big event happens: the mass emergence of the longest-living insect in the United States – the periodical cicada. They last appeared in South Carolina in 2011. Unlike the annual...

The Beech Blight Aphid Nymphs

Oct 12, 2023 | In the Garden

The white, cottony masses covering the small branches on this American beech tree, Fagus grandifolia, are beech blight aphid nymphs. The nymph’s abdomen is covered with a white, cottony mass of waxy...

This Month in Your Garden – August 2023

Aug 3, 2023 | In the Garden

Coastal Region – Brad Fowler It may be hot, but it is still important to be conservative when watering. Overwatering can easily occur on lawns and other landscape plants, even in the August...

Spiders in the Garden, Oh My!

Jun 15, 2023 | Entomology, In the Garden

I don’t have to tell you that some people are terrified of spiders. I chalk it up to fear of the unknown. Like snakes, the best way to lose your fear is by learning about them and how to identify...

Got Unwanted Volunteer Trees Growing in The Landscape? Here Are Some Tips and Tools

May 15, 2023 | In the Garden

For small seedlings that have stems too small to grab with your hand, try using a pair of channel-lock pliers. They are adjustable, so you can grab a long section of stem with the teeth. Use gentle...

What is that Ugly Growth?

Apr 13, 2023 | In the Garden

Camellias and azaleas are subject to a disease that occurs in the spring on new growth. If you grow these in your landscape, you might notice some unusual-looking foliage. Light green to pink,...

A Desirable Chickweed, Who Knew?

Mar 16, 2023 | In the Garden

There are many spring wildflowers that grow in the mixed hardwood forests of South Carolina. Spring ephemerals are woodland herbaceous plants that emerge in early spring with flowers and foliage and...

Time for Taters

Feb 13, 2023 | In the Garden

Between now and the end of March is a great time to plant potatoes. If you ask, “why should I plant potatoes” then obviously, you have never eaten a potato that was dug from the ground the day you...

Mitigating the Effects of Cabbageworms

Feb 6, 2023 | In the Garden, Video

Kale Is a Headless Cabbage

Aug 15, 2022 | In the Garden

Kale has come to the forefront in the last decade or two as the ultimate leafy-green health food, which is both nutritious and high in fiber. Maybe it is because there are so many varieties of kale....