Category: In the Garden

Am I Venomous or Poisonous?

Jun 24, 2024 | In the Garden

“Is this snake poisonous?” I get asked this question a lot, and my answer is no. The snake isn’t poisonous, but it could be venomous. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a TV commercial or movie...

Stokes Aster

Jun 20, 2024 | In the Garden

Would you like to add another native plant to your perennial or pollinator garden? One of my favorites is Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis). It’s part of the Asteraceae family and is native to the...

Question of the Week – Morning Glory Prominent Caterpillar

Jun 19, 2024 | In the Garden

What kind of caterpillar is feeding on this buckeye leaf? This is the caterpillar of the morning glory prominent moth (Schizura ipomaeae). While the adult moth is rather nondescript, the caterpillar...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – June 17, 2024

Jun 18, 2024 | In the Garden

More hot, dry weather is in store for this week. Disease and insect pressure continue to increase as watermelon, small fruit, tomato, and peach harvest continues. See details below. Check out the...

Pollinator Visitors to Stokesia

Jun 17, 2024 | In the Garden

If you’re looking for a beautiful native plant that attracts a variety of pollinators, Stokes’ Aster (Stokesia laevis) is a good choice. I spent an hour in the Perennial border in the...

Question of the Week – Pecan Leaf Phylloxera

Jun 12, 2024 | In the Garden

What caused the galls to form on this pecan leaf? These galls were caused by an insect called the pecan leaf phylloxera (Phylloxera notabilis). These are tiny aphid-like insects that feed on...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – June 10, 2024

Jun 11, 2024 | In the Garden

Finally, a little rain fell around the state, though things remain fairly dry overall. Disease and insect pests are becoming more common as tomatoes, cucurbits, and sweet corn come to harvest. See...

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...

What Not to Plant – Horsetail

Jun 6, 2024 | In the Garden

Have you ever planted something in your garden and years later regretted it? There are several plants in my garden that fit that bill. One such plant is horsetail or scouring rush (Equisetum...

Question of the Week – Black Swallowtail Caterpillar

Jun 5, 2024 | In the Garden

What is munching on this dill? This caterpillar is the larval form of the Eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius). This is a beautiful species of butterfly that is common in the...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – June 3, 2024

Jun 4, 2024 | In the Garden

As the weather continues to warm up, strawberry harvest wraps up, tomatoes and peppers are coming on strong, and cucurbit harvest is beginning. Read more details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming...

This Month in the Garden – June 2024

Jun 3, 2024 | In the Garden

Coastal Region – Glen Payne Pitcher plants in the Lowcountry of South Carolina are hard at work. The yellow pitcher plant, Sarracenia flava, is a carnivorous plant native to the southeastern United...