Growers have been busy making preparations for spring planting. With the bitter cold coming this week, strawberry growers are expected to cover fields in most parts of the state. Spider mites and neopest are active in many places, so plan miticide and fungicide applications accordingly. See details below.
Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss any of our winter/spring meetings. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast.
Don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs.
Coastal Region
Zack Snipes
- It was a busy week in the fields, bedding up ground and setting transplants.
- Strawberries are perking up and are putting on new crowns. Some are beginning to bloom. With some cold coming this weekend, growers need to decide if it’s time to start covering berries. It typically takes 35 days from flower to harvestable fruit. Ask yourself if you want to be open and picking around March 22. If so, boron should be applied, and plants should be covered to protect from frost. Neopest is causing substantial stand losses in strawberry.
- Other fruit crops, such as blueberry and muscadine, are being pruned right now. Some highbush varieties are in full bloom.
- Don’t forget about the Preplant Grower Meeting on February 25 in Charleston.
Neopest is causing substantial stand losses in strawberry.
Zack Snipes, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region
Rob Last
- Temperatures in the Midlands are forecast to approach 20 °F mid-week this week. With that in mind, strawberry growers have been asking about covering. Temperatures in some spots could get low enough to cause crown damage, so some protection would be beneficial. Floating row covers may be a good option to help protect the crowns. Hold off from pushing fertilizer to the crops. A fungicide and miticide Could be helpful before putting covers on. Mites are active in the Midlands.
- Seedling development in brassica crops is also reduced, given the cooler winter and soil temperatures. Keep scouting for white mold on brassicas.
Active mites on a strawberry leaf following warm temperatures.
Rob Last, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Pee Dee Region
Christiana Huss
- The weather is fluctuating quite a bit in the Pee Dee. We’ve had some beautiful days!
- Strawberries are coming out of dormancy. Farms seem to vary greatly with plant size. Some instances of fungus have included common leaf spot, botrytis, and angular leaf spot. Most fields that started the season with heavy root rot have improved over time.
- Farmers are planning their summer crops by tilling fields and taking soil samples. Our agents have been busy hosting several meetings informing folks on the most up-to-date research on pest management. Be sure to check for upcoming events in your area.
Some funky leaf spots found on a strawberry plant. The Clemson lab reported angular leaf spot on this plant.
Christiana Huss, ©2025, Clemson Extension
