Category: In the Garden

Garden Smarter, Not Harder

Jan 22, 2024 | In the Garden

The realization that I’m no longer a “spring chicken” gardener anymore has slowly dawned on me. Gone are the days of heading out into my landscape at daylight and continually working until dark. My...

Cast Iron Plant

Jan 15, 2024 | In the Garden

The cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is one tough plant, as its common name implies. It can grow in deep shade, is deer resistant, and can withstand drought. If that wasn’t enough, it can also...

Eastern Red Cedar

Jan 11, 2024 | In the Garden

Although Christmas is past, I wanted to focus my blog on this most beautiful and versatile tree: the eastern red cedar (𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢). The eastern red cedar was the Christmas tree of choice...

This Month in Your Garden – January 2024

Jan 8, 2024 | In the Garden

Coastal Region – Christopher Burtt If you have not done so yet, have your soil tested. Create a plan for the Spring in the garden, listing materials, such as seeds, to purchase now. Begin...

What Is It? Wednesday- Swinecress

Dec 13, 2023 | In the Garden

This cool-season weed called swinecress (Coronopus didymus) was found coming up in a mustard field. As a seedling, swinecress grows in a rosette, as seen here. As it matures and begins to flower, it...

Native Bee Diversity: Leafcutter Bees

Dec 11, 2023 | In the Garden

Early in the fall, I was delighted to find this fallen redbud leaf with this unusual, sculpted edge. This leaf is evidence of bee activity much earlier in the year. This is the work of female...

What Is It? Wednesday – Wireworm Damage

Dec 6, 2023 | In the Garden

While picking out the ingredients for my Thanksgiving sweetpotato casserole, I found this sweetpotato full of holes. The holes are tell-tale signs of wireworm feeding. Wireworms are the...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – 12/4/23

Dec 5, 2023 | In the Garden

Today’s update will be our final update of 2023. With things slowing down in the field, we will take some time to focus on other projects, and the Weekly Field Updates will resume in January. We...

This Month in Your Garden- December 2023

Dec 4, 2023 | In the Garden, Uncategorized

Coastal Region- Brad Fowler Unexpected temperature drops in early winter may cause cold damage to plants, but wait to do corrective pruning until the damage can be fully assessed in late winter or...

What Is It? Wednesday – Armyworm Egg Mass

Nov 29, 2023 | In the Garden

This is an armyworm egg mass on a tomato leaf, possibly from the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua). The beet armyworm is a pest of vegetables across the Southern US. In warm weather, these eggs will...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – November 27, 2023

Nov 28, 2023 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Zack Snipes We finally got some rain to speak of over the holiday. The cooler weather and rain have really put the fall crops into gear. I have not seen or heard of many disease or...

Spring Bulbs and Garden Inspiration Part II

Nov 27, 2023 | Flowers, In the Garden

Last week, I told you about a garden talk I attended at the Robert Mills Carriage House and Gardens in Columbia, SC. Jim Martin (The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Director of Horticulture &...