Coastal Region
Zack Snipes reports, “What a wild week we had with the hurricane, rain, and storm prep. Overall, the Lowcountry dodged most of the wind and water. While we still had wind gusts exceeding 45 mph and several inches of rain, most of the crops pulled through. It seems that the amount of rain depended on what band of the hurricane passed. Downtown Charleston and James Island received 10+ inches of rain, while the Coastal REC, just a few miles away, received half of that. Some crops got beat up a bit, but I have heard no reports yet of a total crop loss. Before the storm, I went out and about and found lots of lepidopteran pests (diamondback moth larvae, cutworms, melonworms, pickleworms, imported cabbage worms, and an assortment of armyworms…I feel like Bubba Gump here). I also saw a good bit of black rot on brassicas and plenty of downy mildew. I suspect with the wind and rain that, these diseases will really pick up this week and next. Many growers are putting the finishing touches on strawberry plastic and seeding fall carrots, turnips, beans, arugula, radish, etc.”
Black rot in brassica crops was prevalent before the storm. I expect it to be much worse in the coming weeks.
Zack Snipes, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Melonworms turned this beautiful pumpkin patch into a pumpkin desert in a matter of 3-4 days.
Zack Snipes, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region
Justin Ballew reports, “Most of the severe weather from Hurricane Ian passed to the east of us on Friday. Our weather station in Lexington recorded almost 2.5″ of rain and maximum wind gusts of 43 mph. Further west, in Pomaria (Newberry County), 1.9″ of rain was recorded, and the maximum wind gusts were 46 mph. We’re thankful for the rain and lucky the wind wasn’t any stronger. Earlier in the week, more strawberry plastic was laid. Fall planted brassicas and squash are being harvested and look really good. Expect to see black rot increase in fields where it was already present.”
Plastic is laid, and strawberry planting will start later this month.
Justin Ballew, ©2022, Clemson Extension
Pee Dee Region
Bruce McLean reports, “The coastal area and the Pee Dee took a direct hit from Hurricane Ian on Friday. Luckily, the damage that we sustained is substantially less than our friends to the south, down in Florida. As of now, reports have been minimal for any significant damage or crop losses to fruit and vegetable crops (related to the hurricane). If any grower has damage caused by the storm, please contact your local Clemson Extension office or one of the Food Crop Agents for assistance. Hurricane Ian did bring beneficial rains to the region. The coast received more rain than most interior locations. Initial reports are that pecans did see some significant nut drop in areas, and pecan tree loss/orchard damage was minimal. Some wind damage was reported on vegetable crops in Horry County. Many strawberry growers had already bedded and laid plastic. No reports of plastic being blown off beds, but it is likely to have occurred. For growers that recently fumigated, be sure to allow a little more time for fumigation and venting to prevent injury to your plantings. Excessive moisture can interfere with and delay the process of soil fumigation. Ideally, you would want to test for gas levels before planting. If testing isn’t performed and moisture within the bed is not excessive, a couple of extra days of venting is advised.”
