Midlands Region

Rob Last

The area’s soil has been dry, with no significant rainfall recorded since mid-October until this past weekend.
Following last week’s freeze events, growth is recovering well on all fall crops, with strawberries putting on new leaves and developing well. Brassicas and leafy greens all look very good, with some strong color observed in red leaf lettuce.
Crops coming to market include beets, radishes, some early broccoli, collards, mustards, turnips, and lettuce, all displaying excellent quality.
Disease pressure remains low, one benefit of the dry weather conditions. Keep scouting, as early detection makes management much more straightforward.
Pests numbers are beginning to increase. I am seeing increasing numbers of aphids in brassicas, with colonies building very rapidly. I am also seeing odd aphid individuals in strawberries, too.
Diamondback moth numbers in the Lowcountry are beginning to build, and I am seeing a few more in the Midlands.
Remember to rotate modes of action with insecticides and choose the most selective material first, which will help predators and parasitoid numbers to recover.

Strawberry transplants are pushing out new leaves in the Midlands.
Rob Last, ©2023, Clemson Extension

Pee Dee Region

Brittney King

We had a fall harvest of some day-neutral strawberries in my area this week, along with some fungal issues popping up here and there. It is important to remember that preventative fungicides are NOT curative, so they need to be applied BEFORE signs of disease. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
This time of year is perfect for soil sampling. Get it done now, and you will have adequate time before spring to get any recommended amendments incorporated into the soil. This is especially important if you need to add lime to your soil. Lime breaks down slowly and, therefore will need to be added weeks in advance of planting.

Day-neutral San Andreas strawberries blooming and developing fruit.
Brittney King, ©2023, Clemson Extension

Fall harvested San Andreas strawberries.
Brittney King, ©2023, Clemson Extension

Briana Naumuk

Here in the Upstate, we had some much needed rain showers come through this weekend. We’re still hoping for more to bring us out of the drought conditions here, so keep an eye on the drought meter.
The temperatures seem to have cooled here over the weekend, but keep an eye on the weather, as the occasional warm day may still pop up.
Apple season is coming to an end, with most varieties having been picked. A few late varieties still have a few apples left for picking. The growers will get a much needed break before gearing up to do it all over again next year.

Andy Rollins

New peach orchard soil is being prepared for planting next year. It is critical to make sure all of the lime and phosphorus are worked into the ground now in preparation. Phosphorus typically needs 100 lbs per acre. Neither of these is mobile in the soil, which is why they have to be incorporated. Potassium levels vary greatly but may be needed preplant as well.
We are also pruning an overgrown blueberry farm seen in picture. The grower will have a crew top these plants first; then, a hand pruning crew will selectively remove 4-5 of the oldest canes, often easily seen by lichen hitchhiking on its bark.
Strawberry growers, keep scouting. We are finding spider mites, root rot, and crown anthracnose.

If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.