Category: In the Garden

Weed of the Month- Common Ragweed

Jun 29, 2023 | In the Garden, Weed

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a North American native plant in the aster family. It has a rapid growth rate and can reach four to six feet tall. Common ragweed is a summer annual. It...

What Is It? Wednesday – Downy Mildew

Jun 28, 2023 | In the Garden

This is downy mildew showing up on the underside of this collard leaf. While downy mildew symptoms can be seen on the top sides of the leaves, the pathogen sporulates on the underside of the leaves....

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report- 6/26/23

Jun 27, 2023 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Zack Snipes The tomato crop is coming in at very heavy volumes. The week of rain has really started making diseases appear. I’ve seen a lot of bacterial wilt and Southern blight in...

A Lazy Gardener Introduces New Garden Friends

Jun 26, 2023 | In the Garden

When referencing my front yard’s native grass and wildflower planting, I irreverently and affectionately call it my weed patch. I’ll address the irreverent part in a later blog. This...

Giant Coneflower

Jun 22, 2023 | Flowers, In the Garden, Perennials

I love adding drama to a garden, especially choosing a plant that will stop you in your tracks with your mouth gaping open! One such plant is the giant coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima). It’s a...

What is It? Wednesday – Barklice

Jun 21, 2023 | In the Garden

These are barklice, AKA barkflies or booklice crawling on the bark of this crape myrtle tree. This species is probably Cerastipsocus venosus. Barklice are sometimes called “tree cattle” due to their...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – June 19, 2023

Jun 20, 2023 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Zack Snipes Warmer temperatures and lots of afternoon thunderstorms have really pushed our crops. Up until last week, this was the cleanest year I have seen in terms of disease issues...

Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas Project

Jun 19, 2023 | In the Garden

Did you know North America has over 4,000 native bees? They are a hugely diverse bunch, ranging from the large carpenter bee to the tiny fairy bee, and all are critical to pollination. Recently, I...

Spiders in the Garden, Oh My!

Jun 15, 2023 | Entomology, In the Garden

I don’t have to tell you that some people are terrified of spiders. I chalk it up to fear of the unknown. Like snakes, the best way to lose your fear is by learning about them and how to identify...

What Is It? Wednesday- Heat Stress in Broccoli

Jun 14, 2023 | In the Garden

The different sized beads and color variation in this broccoli head is known as “cat eye,” where clusters of small, lighter-colored beads are surrounded by larger, darker-colored beads. This is a...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – June 12, 2023

Jun 13, 2023 | In the Garden

Midlands Region Rob Last Generally, crops are developing well, be it a little slower than usual based on below-average temperatures. As we move further into June, we see increased temperatures,...

Calibrachoa

Jun 12, 2023 | Flowering, In the Garden

For vibrant color from spring to frost, plant Calibrachoa. In hanging baskets or pots, they trail over the sides and act as a “spiller” in combination plantings. Calibrachoas are native to South...