Category: In the Garden

This Month in Your Garden- August 2024

Aug 1, 2024 | In the Garden

Coastal Region- Brad Fowler Make sure to scout the lawn regularly for pests. Armyworms and brown patch/large patch are a couple of common issues that can cause major damage if not treated quickly....

Question of the Week – Kudzu Bug

Jul 31, 2024 | In the Garden

What are these insects on pole butterbeans? The insects pictured are bean plataspids, Megacopta cribraria (F.), commonly known as “kudzu bugs.” They are an invasive plant pest from Asia. First...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – July 29, 2024

Jul 30, 2024 | In the Garden

Lots of rain fell over parts of the state last week. Keep a close eye out for potential disease progression following all the moisture. Insect pressure remains high as growers make preparations for...

Aster Yellows

Jul 25, 2024 | In the Garden

Recently, the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) has been receiving photos of coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) that are malformed and green. The plants are infected with aster yellows, a...

Question of the Week – Planthopper

Jul 24, 2024 | In the Garden

What left the fluffy, white deposit on this zinnia stem? This fluffy material was left by a flatid planthopper. Flatid planthoppers feed on a variety of ornamental plants. The ¼” long adults appear...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – July 22, 2024

Jul 23, 2024 | In the Garden

Scattered rain fell over the weekend. Peppers and okra are coming as the watermelon harvest finishes up. Disease and insect pressure remains high, and planning for strawberry planting is beginning....

Question of the Week – Spider Mites

Jul 17, 2024 | In the Garden

What caused the stippling on this eggplant leaf? This damage was caused by two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urica). While spider mites are often included in discussions of insect management,...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report–July 15, 2024

Jul 16, 2024 | In the Garden

A few areas received rain over the last week, contributing to increases in disease and fruit split. Sunscald and blossom end rot are becoming common, and insect pressure remains high. See details...

Meeting a Mydas Fly

Jul 15, 2024 | In the Garden

Conducting summer camps at the South Carolina Botanical Garden affords much more time to explore the grounds and make new discoveries alongside the young participants. On the Tuesday of our first...

Question of the Week – TSWV

Jul 10, 2024 | In the Garden

What is going on with this Roma tomato? The tie-dye appearance of this tomato is due to it being infected by tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). TSWV is an important virus of tomato, pepper, eggplant,...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – July 8, 2024

Jul 9, 2024 | In the Garden

Scattered rain this past weekend brought some much needed relief to parts of the state. Insect pressure remains high in some places, and disease pressure is climbing. Harvest of several summer crops...

Hummingbird Favorite: Pentas

Jul 8, 2024 | In the Garden

Every spring, I visit local garden centers, searching for colorful flowers that attract hummingbirds. I like to combine these flowers in containers and place them where I can watch hummingbirds...