Fall weather has arrived, and strawberry planting is in full swing. Conditions have been dry across the state since Hurricane Helene. Diseases and insects are showing up in places as the fall growing season progresses. See details below. Check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast.
Coastal Region
Zack Snipes
- Another dry and windy week in the Lowcountry. We have only had 0.33 inches of rain in the past month, according to our local weather stations.
- Growers are receiving their strawberry plants and are beginning to plant. Many have already performed pre-pant dips to help combat Neopest. We have a perfect week of weather to get the plants set if growers can get enough water on them. Please get your deer fences up if you have not already done so.
- Fall greens are still looking great with low insect and disease pressure.
- The first satsumas are ready for harvest in the Lowcountry. Louisiana Early and Xie Shan have turned orange and have high enough brix levels to harvest this week.
A field of greens looking good in the Lowcountry.
Zack Snipes, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Downy mildew can take down cucumbers very quickly, especially in the fall.
Zack Snipes, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Pee Dee Region
Christiana Huss
- Black rot has become common on brassica leaves. I have now seen it on several farms. In addition, caterpillars seem to be the greatest concern on leafy greens.
- Strawberry leaf and crown samples are being sent to the disease diagnostic lab on campus. So far, nothing has come back as a major concern, but many results are still pending. Fields are being planted as we speak!
- I visited a unique farm specializing in medicinal crops of turmeric, ginger, and elderberries. Ginger and turmeric will be harvested after first frost once the above-ground portion of the plant dies from the cold. These root crops are typically grown in Southeast Asia but seem to be doing very well here. Elderberries are native plants that can grow in poorly drained soils. These berries were harvested in summer and turned into syrups and jams for medicinal use.
Flower of turmeric growing in the Pee Dee.
Christiana Huss, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Elderberries grown for syrups, jams, and medicinal use.
Christiana Huss, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Brittney King
- Last week in the Pee Dee, strawberry growers were busy getting plants in the ground. I’m very happy to see that some deer fences were put up before strawberry planting this year. Growers are welcoming rain as fields are getting dry.
- Strawberries that have been planted in the Pee Dee look good overall. I have seen an instance of possible leaf burn by using too many chemicals/fungicides in the pre-plant dip and not mixing correctly. Switch at 8oz per 100 gallons of water is the recommended pre-plant dip for strawberry production. I also noticed leaf lesions similar to Neopest. Leaf lesions are not always caused by disease pathogens, and many disease pathogens can produce similar symptoms on leaves, so make sure to send samples to the lab if you are unsure.
- Leafy greens like collard, broccoli, lettuce, and mustard greens are progressing well and should be ready to harvest in the next couple of weeks. Be sure to stay on top of your spray program for diamondback moth caterpillar.
- Pumpkin harvest is going smoothly, but as always, cucumber beetles continue to be a challenge.
Strawberry plants with possible leaf burn from a pre-plant dip that was mixed incorrectly.
Brittney King, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Strawberry cutoffs are being planted in the Pee Dee.
Brittney. King, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region
Briana Naumuk
- Here in the Upstate, Hurricane Helene clean-up efforts are still ongoing. Farmers in the area are slowly beginning to bounce back from the storm.
- We have had a stretch of colder nights in the 30s here. While the weather will be back up in the 40s and 50s in the coming weeks, it is still a good idea to keep a close eye on the weather. You never know when a frost will sneak up on you at this time of year.
- Apple season is still chugging along. The late-season varieties are here. Growers are focused on harvesting and keeping everything healthy until they close for the winter.
Andy Rollins
- We’re continuing to review damage to crops from Helene. Efforts are still ongoing, such as repairing fences and trying to make the most of bad situations.
- Strawberry plantings continued last week. Many plug shipments with severe phytophthora root rot are taking out 10-50% of the root systems. All plant sources have had variability. Ruby June, from all sources, have been horrible and have had to be declined. I am very concerned about many plantings now, mainly because of the colder weather. We need good growing weather for the next 45 days to try and root in these later plantings. Bareroot crown size looks good, as do cutoff plants coming in.
- I am proud of the way many farmers have gone out of their way to help each other during these trying times.
Peppers that were ruined by flooding from Helene.
Andy Rollins, ©2024, Clemson Extension
