Raised Beds
Not every landscape is suitable for in-ground gardens. If this is the case, raised beds are an option. For less than ideal garden locations, raised beds provide a tremendous amount of flexibility....
Category: Fruits & Vegetables
Cover Crops
A cover crop is a crop specifically planted to: protect the soil from erosion suppress weeds maintain soil moisture increase organic matter in the soil recycle soil nutrients Cover crops or “green...
FAQ About Pecan Production in the Home Garden
Question: Are pecan trees native to South Carolina? Answer: Many believe that pecans are native to South Carolina; however, the reality is they are not. Pecans are native to North America, and their...
Watermelons
Planting Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 70 and 85 °F. Melon seeds do not germinate well in cold soil. The soil temperature...
Peanut
The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a tropical plant that originated in South America. It is a self-pollinating plant that looks like a yellow-flowered, low sweet pea bush growing slightly higher than...
Onion, Leek, Shallot, & Garlic
Onions and the related shallots, leeks and garlic all grow best during cool weather and are usually planted in the fall in South Carolina for late spring harvest. Onion plants can also be planted in...
Biological Control of Two-Spotted Spider Mites on Homegrown Strawberries
Strawberries are a favorite fruit of many families in South Carolina. Every year, many home gardeners grow strawberries in their gardens or in containers. While several pests attack strawberry...
Loquat
Loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, also called Japanese medlar and Japanese plum, is an evergreen shrub in the family Rosaceae that is native to China and Japan. It is valued for its coarse dark green...
Controlling Weeds by Cultivating & Mulching
Consider your weed control strategy prior to establishing a vegetable garden in the spring. Weeds compete with vegetables for water, nutrients and light. They also harbor insects and diseases, which...
Sweet Corn
Planting Sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa) is a warm-season crop that grows best at temperatures between 60 and 80 °F. The optimum soil temperature for seed germination is 60 to 95 °F. Sweet corn...
Carrot, Beet, Radish & Parsnip
Root Crops Carrots, beets, radishes, and parsnips can all be successfully grown throughout South Carolina, and these can all be planted for both spring and fall crops. Root crops all need a loose,...
Cabbage & Chinese Cabbage
Planting Cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Capitata Group) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa, Pekinensis Group) are cool-season vegetables that should be grown in early spring or fall. They grow best at...