Though we had some cool nights, we saw beautiful spring weather last week. Strawberry picking is just beginning in places. Peach bloom has peaked, and we are entering shuck split in some varieties. We have been dry and windy, so keep a close eye out for spider mites. See details below.
Clemson Extension is working to produce resources for cut flower growers. To do so, we need information from anyone growing or interested in growing cut flowers, on the production and post-harvest issues they face. Whether you grow a few row feet or a few acres of cut flowers, please consider completing this 15-minute needs assessment to help us steer our efforts.
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.
Midlands Region
Rob Last
- We had another great week in the Midlands with some warm temperatures and a little welcome rainfall.
- Spring transplants of many crops are going into the ground with good establishment. Monitor soil moisture and scout transplants regularly.
- Strawberries are looking great right now with good color, vigor, and fruit set. Mites are still very active in the area. Keep monitoring and, when required, use a specific acaricide. Disease pressure, at present in the Midlands, is quite low at present, but remember to keep up fungicide applications as we get closer to harvest.
Lettuce transplants in the Midlands.
Rob Last, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Sarah Scott
- The first picking of strawberries came last week, and we are officially into Spring. Fruit load is relatively light in some fields as we have had several 35 °F nights in which growers decided not to pull covers. In fields where covers were used, the load is a bit heavier. Now is the time of season when we weigh risk vs reward when it comes to covering for cooler nights. A reminder that if you do pull covers, you want to make sure to get them off as quickly as you can the next morning as temperatures warm up. Wet, dirty covers can be a breeding ground for insects and disease.
- Peaches have more leaves than bloom at this time. Most varieties are past full bloom stage and moving into shuck split stage. Growers are getting out sprays for scab and bacterial spot prevention, as well as controls for plum curculio and LPTB.
- Spring brassicas are in the ground, and fields are being prepped for summer vegetable plantings.
Strawberries ripening in the field.
Sarah Scott, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Shuck split stage in peaches.
Sarah Scott, ©2025, Clemson Extension
A few peach varieties are still in full bloom.
Sarah Scott, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Pee Dee Region
Brittney King
- Strawberries in the Pee Dee look good, and I am starting to see red fruit in the fields! The Fronteras variety seems to be ahead of others in regard to size and number of flowers per plant. Spider mite numbers are high in some areas, and I am mostly seeing adults at this time. Other than that, I am not really seeing any major disease issues. Thankfully, we have been relatively dry compared to previous years.
- High tunnel tomato transplants were put in the ground last week and are progressing well.
- Leafy green transplants are almost ready to go in the ground.
- Peaches are in full bloom! Be on the lookout for blossom blight, as this will increase your chances for pre-harvest brown rot. If you noticed brown rot cankers/mummies during pruning or have a peach block that had brown rot in the previous season, it is recommended to get 2 protectant sprays out for control.
Peach trees in full bloom in the Pee Dee!
Brittney King, ©2025, Clemson Extension
The Fronteras strawberry variety should have a crop ready to harvest this week.
Brittney King, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region
Andy Rollins
- In the Upstate, peaches are in full bloom, and some varieties are at the beginning of petal fall. Growers have been applying Bravo (chlorothalonil) as a protectant fungicide. It is still our best option. Some growers have been applying Accede to thin flowers, while others have been hand-thinning trees to assist with the ominous task of fruit thinning that is right around the corner. Grower’s application rates vary greatly. Thankfully, we have very little cold damage to speak of, but still have 3 weeks left to survive. Some growers plan to wait to use Accede until after they know they have a crop.
- We had a few late peach plantings go in last week.
- Strawberry plant size and quality are quite variable. Some farms have diseases causing them problems. I am finding spider mites at many Upstate sites as we have been extremely dry (conditions that allow mites to thrive). Growers need to monitor this problem and make sure to treat it before the problem escalates. Mites can get to the point where they are uncontrollable if not dealt with early.
Phytophthora root rot and Neopest crown rot are affecting some strawberry fields in the Upstate.
Andy Rollins, ©2025, Clemson Extension
