What Is It? Wednesday – Lady Beetle Eggs
These orange-colored things stuck to the bottom of a collard leaf are a cluster of lady beetle eggs. Lady beetles are great insects to have around, especially if you have problems with aphids, their...
Category: In the Garden
SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report- May 22, 2023
Coastal Region Zack Snipes We got some much needed rain last week to settle the dust and push crops forward. Growers should be aware of the possibility of increased disease pressure this week with...
South Carolina Native Magnolias
At the beginning of the week, I noticed our native magnolias flowering profusely. First, the evergreen southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora), which line the entrance to the South Carolina...
Lizard’s Tail
Lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus) is a perennial native to Eastern and Southeastern North America. Don’t you just love that common name, lizard’s tail? The scientific name, Saurus cernnus, is derived...
What Is It? Wednesday – Parasitic Wasp Cocoon
This is the cocoon of a parasitic wasp (Microplitis plutellae) that attacks and kills diamondback moth larvae. This wasp will lay an egg inside the caterpillar, where the wasp larva feeds before...
SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report- May 15, 2023
Statewide Tony Keinath – Extension Vegetable Pathologist The Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group (EVCWG) is a national effort to improve the detection and management of virus diseases on all...
Got Unwanted Volunteer Trees Growing in The Landscape? Here Are Some Tips and Tools
For small seedlings that have stems too small to grab with your hand, try using a pair of channel-lock pliers. They are adjustable, so you can grab a long section of stem with the teeth. Use gentle...
Sweet on Virginia Sweetspire
I must be selective in the kinds of shrubs and trees I add to my landscape. Very simply: I don’t have the room. Like the village matchmaker, Yente, in Fiddler on the Roof, I match the plant with my...
What Is It? Wednesday – Poison Ivy
This is poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). This is a plant that everyone should be able to identify. Around 85% of people are allergic to poison ivy, though sensitivity varies greatly. Poison ivy...
SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – May 8, 2023
Statewide Tony Keinath – Extension Vegetable Pathologist Check out this recent article from Dr. Keinath, published by Growing Produce: Recognize and Manage Fungicide Resistance in Your Vegetable...
What’s Eating You?
Perhaps as you’ve strolled through your garden lately, you’ve looked at a plant and thought, “What’s eating you?” It can be tricky to discern what is doing the munching when the muncher is nowhere...
Hummingbird Favorite: Salvia
Like most South Carolina nature lovers, I look forward to the return of Ruby-throated hummingbirds every spring. I enjoy seeing them in my garden, visiting flower after flower chirping along the...