Coastal Region
Zack Snipes reports, “We had some sunshine last week, which really brightened everything up. The last few nights have been cool, with some frost on the ground in the mornings. Things are starting to green up, and fields are drying out enough to plant. We are still direct-seeding crops around the region and will begin transplanting tomatoes in some areas this week. I spent last week checking strawberry fields to make sure things were good to go before they really bust out. I have been helping folks calibrate their drip fertigation systems for the upcoming season. If you think you need a hand with this, please let me know. Dialing in exactly how much fertilizer to use each day or week can really increase yields and lessen the amount of fertilizer that is leached. Leaching fertilizer means your plants aren’t taking it up, thus costing you money.”
Venturi type fertigation injector on a strawberry farm. Dialing in your fertility can really increase yields and reduce the leaching of fertilizer.
Zack Snipes, ©2021, Clemson Extension
A nice patch of ball clover in the drive row of strawberry. We planted this to hold the soil, reduce sand on the berries, withstand foot traffic, and bring in early season beneficials to help with thrips control.
Zack Snipes, ©2021, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region
Justin Ballew reports, “We had several beautiful, sunny days last week. The warm days seemed to really push plants along. Last night got cool (29 degrees at my house), and strawberry growers had to pull row covers over the fields to protect the blooms. We have some small, developing fruit now that would easily be damaged without row covers. I’m seeing very few spider mites in fields, even though conditions have turned dry here in the midlands. Remember that Botrytis spore production is high when temperatures are in the 60 to 70-degree range, so we need to be staying on top of our spray programs right now. In other news, brassica planting continues, and for now, caterpillar pressure seems to be light.”
Small developing strawberries like this one can be damaged easily by cold.
Justin Ballew, ©2021, Clemson Extension
Internal discoloration of the two strawberries on top indicates cold damage. These fruit will not ripen and will become excellent sources of Botrytis inoculum.>br /> Justin Ballew, ©2021, Clemson Extension
Pee Dee Region
Bruce McLean reports, “Boy, it got a bit chilly last night. Still looking at temperatures for the area, but it would be a safe bet that much of the area saw 28 degrees or lower. Strawberries were covered, so little problems there. Blueberries did see some damage on blooms that had fully opened. Most of the flowers were still in the Early Pink Bud stage or at Budbreak, so no damage to those blooms. Frost protection could have saved those flowers and potential fruit, but it is still early in the season. Keeping our fingers crossed that we don’t see any more nights of freezing temperatures.”
Early pink stage in blueberry flowering.
Bruce McLean, ©2021, Clemson Extension
Damaged corollas (flowers) on blueberries. Likely experienced 28 degrees or lower.
Bruce McLean, ©2021, Clemson Extension
