Category: In the Garden

A Shrub Do-over Involves a Makeover

Mar 10, 2022 | In the Garden

Do your flowering shrubs need a makeover? Perhaps it’s the overgrown shrub that craves your contact whenever you use the front door or carport. Maybe it’s an old shrub that lost its vitality and...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report

Mar 9, 2022 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Starting with strawberries, the plant development is taking off with little in the way of disease pressure currently. Flower formation and fruit set are beginning....

Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Vegetable Garden

Mar 8, 2022 | In the Garden

There is an old saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” We can apply this saying to gardening as just about every insect pest that plagues our gardens has one or more natural enemies that prey...

Trout Lilies

Mar 7, 2022 | In the Garden

Every walk in the woods is a treasure hunt as spring ephemerals begin to break through the soil surface. I am almost positive that this trout lily was not up yesterday, but today it is in full...

Meadow Rue

Mar 3, 2022 | In the Garden

As I’ve transitioned my garden into a more age-friendly space, I am always on the search for interesting perennials to add to my planting beds. Gone are the days of planting large swaths of annuals...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Update – February 28, 2022

Mar 2, 2022 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Tom Bilbo, Extension Vegetable & Strawberry Entomologist, reports, “As temperatures warm up in some areas, make sure to scout for spider mites in strawberries. Spider mite feeding...

Tomato

Mar 2, 2022 | Fruits & Vegetables, In the Garden, Vegetables

Get tips for growing tomatoes, including planting, staking, and managing common pests and diseases.

A Broken Record

Feb 28, 2022 | In the Garden

When I was a child, my Mama would often say, I feel like a broken record! after reminding my brother and me several times of tasks we did not complete. As a parent, I now know firsthand the...

Weed of the Month Common Groundsel

Feb 24, 2022 | In the Garden

Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris ) is an annual winter weed in the aster family. Luckily, it rarely becomes a problem in the lawn since it does not survive mowing. It can, however, quickly become...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report

Feb 23, 2022 | In the Garden

Midlands Region Justin Ballew reports, “Last week we saw a few nice, warm afternoons and about a half-inch of rain Thursday night. In strawberries, the warm weather will soon have plants pushing out...

Carpenter Bee Survey

Feb 22, 2022 | In the Garden

Spring is here and so are the carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are very active from early spring through summer around houses and other wooden structures. These insects earn their name because they...

White Isn’t Always A Beautiful Sight

Feb 21, 2022 | In the Garden

We had measurable snow at my house twice in two weeks! I picked up my camera each time to capture the beauty of the pure white frozen precipitation blanketing the bleak winter landscape. The snow...