Category: In the Garden

A Messy Winter Garden Preserves Beneficial Insects

Feb 7, 2022 | In the Garden

In winter, many people tidy up the yard for a clean planting space for the coming spring. However, it may pay off to embrace the “messy winter garden” approach to protect overwintering beneficial...

A Fascinating Discovery 

Feb 3, 2022 | In the Garden

Nature is always intriguing, often beautiful, but occasionally it is rather creepy and somewhat gruesome. We found this little insect body under a tree on the Natural Heritage Trail at the South...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – January 31, 2022

Feb 2, 2022 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Pest and disease issues in the area remain very low; however, as temperatures rise, we expect activity to increase.  Although it is quiet, it is still essential to...

Citizen Science Opportunity: The Redbud Phenology Project

Feb 1, 2022 | In the Garden

One of my favorite trees is the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). I love how the flowers emerge before the foliage, adding a pop of color to the landscape in early spring. Plus, they provide...

What’s a Livestake?

Jan 31, 2022 | In the Garden

If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy way to re-establish vegetation along a waterway, livestakes are for you! Livestake installation is a method of propagation that uses cuttings from a...

What’s Happening with Hemp

Jan 27, 2022 | In the Garden

A thriving hemp industry is emerging in South Carolina despite some growing pains. When the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) received approval for the state hemp plan under the USDA...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – 1/24/22

Jan 26, 2022 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “One of our weather stations in Mt. Pleasant got down to 19F on Saturday night.  Last Thursday our high was 73F, and 55 hours later, it was 23F.  That swing in...

Growing Gold in the Winter Landscape

Jan 24, 2022 | In the Garden

I’ve made it clear in this blog that Winter is my least favorite season. Therefore, I always seek winter-blooming flowers to raise my spirits. However, before the yellow-flowered daffodils bloom to...

In Memory of Rick Berry

Jan 21, 2022 | In the Garden

The horticultural world lost Rick Berry, a remarkable plantsman, in November. I had the honor of being Rick’s friend and sharing years of plant exchanges and stories. Looking back, my last visit in...

Boxwood Bronzing Blues

Jan 20, 2022 | In the Garden

Even boxwoods get the winter blues, bronzing blues, that is. Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are broadleaf evergreen plants that boldly retain their foliage in the winter months, unlike deciduous plants that...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report January 18, 2022

Jan 19, 2022 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “In our area, crops are developing well with few pest or disease issues currently. Some brassicas are displaying a reddening to the older leaves associated...

The World of Hellebores

Jan 17, 2022 | In the Garden, Landscape

There are approximately 15 species of hellebores that are perennial, and the majority are native to southern and eastern Europe. Other common names for this plant are Christmas rose, and Lenten...