Category: In the Garden

Keep Trees Healthy To Stave Off Ambrosia Beetles

Jun 10, 2021 | In the Garden

A few years ago, my husband and I added two Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis) to our front yard. Each spring, I look forward to their tiny magenta flowers followed by the emergence of heart-shaped...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report June 7, 2021

Jun 9, 2021 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “After some welcome rain in the area over the weekend, crops are looking good. However, given the humidity and rainfall, we are likely to find disease pressure...

A routine check-up of trees saves lives and property

Jun 8, 2021 | In the Garden

Trees provide significant benefits to our homes and communities, but they may also become liabilities when they fall or break apart, causing property damage, personal injuries, and power outages....

One Year In: An Update On The Asian Longhorned Beetle Situation In South Carolina

Jun 7, 2021 | In the Garden

It’s been 1-year since the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) was found in Charleston County. This invasive species is mostly a threat to maples but also to poplar, willow, sycamore, birch, and elm....

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report June 1, 2021

Jun 4, 2021 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “On the whole, disease pressure in most crops remains low. The exception is cucurbits, where we are finding powdery mildew in cucumbers as well as downy...

Why You Should Aerate Your Lawn

Jun 3, 2021 | In the Garden

Aeration is a cultural practice that does not need to be done often but can provide immense benefits for your lawn. Soil is comprised of minerals, organic matter, and the spaces in between those...

What is it? Wednesday

Jun 2, 2021 | In the Garden

Lovebugs, Plecia nearctica (Diptera: Bibionidae) are small, black-colored flies except for the top of the thorax being red. The common name “lovebug” refers to the adult male and female flying...

Springs and Seeps are More Important Than You Think

Jun 1, 2021 | In the Garden

Springs and seeps are more than just a nuisance wet spot in the landscape; they’re considered types of wetlands and are an expression of groundwater flowing upward and surfacing on land. Sometimes...

Tips and Tricks for Growing Lily of the Nile

May 27, 2021 | In the Garden

Lily of the Nile or agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus and hybrids with this species) is a blue-flowered perennial that grows from a rhizome (fleshy root). Each rhizome sends up several shoots....

What is it? Wednesday

May 26, 2021 | In the Garden

Moth fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Moth flies (order: Diptera) are in the family Psychodidae. Entomologists often refer to insects using a shortened version of the family name. In this instance, I...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report May 24, 2021

May 25, 2021 | In the Garden

Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “As we mentioned last week, cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in cucumber crops locally. Other pests and disease levels in cucurbits remain low....

Japanese Beetles

May 24, 2021 | In the Garden

A lot of attention recently has been on periodical cicadas, which are coming out of the ground after 17 years across parts of the Southeast and much of the Mid-Atlantic region. However, another...