Bean & Southern Pea Insect Pests
Major Seedling Feeders Aphids: Aphids (Aphis species and Macrosiphum euphorbiae) are soft-bodied “plant lice,” about 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length and are usually green, although some species are...
Category: Fruits & Vegetables
Insect Pests of Sweet Corn
Cutworms Cutworms damage a few plants in most gardens every year, but some gardens are so heavily infested as to warrant control by the grower. Bottomland (low-lying land, creek bottoms, etc.) is...
Sweet Corn Diseases
Sweet corn is seldom seriously damaged by diseases in the home garden. Reduce many of the potential disease problems by following proper cultural practices, including: Use commercially grown...
Fire Blight of Fruit Trees
Fire blight is one of the most devastating and difficult-to-control diseases of many fruit trees, including apple and pear, as well as of other rosaceous ornamental plants. This is a bacterial...
Cabbage, Broccoli & Other Cole Crop Insect Pests
Aphids Two primary species of aphids (plant lice) attack cole crops: the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) and the turnip aphid (Lipaphis erysimi). Because they are similar in life habits and...
Arugula, Kale, Mesclun, Mustard, and Swiss Chard
The term ‘greens’ refers to a variety of species, such as arugula, kale, mesclun, mustard, and Swiss chard, grown for their tender, edible leaves. Some common species are outlined below; however,...
Planning a Garden
Home garden vegetables can be grown abundantly in most areas of South Carolina with proper care. Many who have grown vegetables for the excellent fresh flavor or as a hobby now find home gardening...
Apple & Crabapple Insects
Homeowners and small producers can produce useable apples in South Carolina with minimal insect damage if they know the potential pest problems. Some insecticide applications may be necessary even...
SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report January 11, 2021
Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Vegetable crops are growing out of the impacts of frost well. There is active Alternaria in places on brassica crops. Insect activity in vegetable crops in...
Collards
Planting Collards (Brassica oleracea) can be grown most of the year in South Carolina, though early spring or fall production is generally preferred. Mature plants will withstand frosts and light to...
Growing Strawberries
Soil & Site: Strawberries are shallow-rooted and grow best in sandy loam soils that drain well, at a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Clay soils drain poorly and are difficult to manage. In the year...
Somewhere Down in the Pawpaw Patch
When I was growing up in S.C., we kids played outdoors, most days. The weather didn’t matter; I was all about being outside – running, biking, swimming, climbing trees, and exploring. I’ve...