Herbs
Most herbs are easy to grow. Many are drought-tolerant, do not need very fertile soil, and are naturally resistant to insects and diseases. The word herb has many definitions, but practically...
Category: Fruits & Vegetables
Peach Diseases
Growing quality peaches in the home garden can be very rewarding, but difficult, unless a rigid pest and disease control program is maintained. This publication focuses just on disease issues....
Tomato Insect Pests
Tomato Fruitworm The tomato fruitworm (Helicoverpa zea) is the most damaging tomato insect pest in South Carolina. Fruitworms occur throughout the Western Hemisphere extending as far north as Canada...
Blueberry
This popular small fruit bears plenty of berries that are delightful when eaten fresh, used in pies, muffins, or pancakes, or added as a fruit topping for breakfast cereals. Also, blueberry plants...
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...
Apple & Crabapple Insects
Homeowners and small producers can produce useable apples in South Carolina with minimal insect damage if they are aware of the potential pest problems. Some insecticide applications may be...
Calibrating Spreaders
Proper calibration of application equipment can be one of the trickiest tasks that homeowners and commercial applicators face. However, it is one of the most important steps in making fertilizer or...
Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control
If you are looking for a safe, effective and low toxicity alternative to more toxic pesticides for the control of many undesirable insects in your garden, insecticidal soaps may fit the bill....
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...
Basil
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is one of the most popular and easy to grow garden herbs. There are many varieties and related species that make up the group of annual basils, but all are warm-season,...
FAQs about Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors
What is the advantage of starting vegetables from seed? Choosing to start vegetable plants from seeds allows gardeners the freedom to try varieties that are not readily available as transplants,...
Pruning & Training Apple & Pear Trees
Training and pruning are essential for growing fruit successfully. Fruit size, quality and pest management are influenced by training and pruning. Untrained and unpruned trees become entangled...