Spring is off to a warm start. The weather has been dry, but we finally have some rain in the forecast. Strawberry picking is beginning in parts of the state. So far, the incidence of disease has been low, but spider mites are present in some places. Other crops are growing well. See details below.
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Coastal Region
Anna Sara Hill
- This week begins with nice warm weather, some much-needed rain and more in the forecast.
- It’s time to fertilize and apply zinc to pecans. Trees will be leafing out soon.
- Peach trees have leafed out and cover sprays are being applied.
- Strawberries are ripening, and some area farms will open strawberry sales this week.
- Local watermelon growers will start planting this week! A few started planting early, but most are waiting until April 1 to plant due to the weather fluctuations we have had over the past month.
- Keep an eye out for powdery mildew. Temperatures in the 60-70’s with high humidity are the ideal weather conditions for powdery mildew to sporulate.
- Spider mites are prevalent at this time of year. Check nursery stock and treat them prior to planting. Also, spray plants that are already in the field with acaricides. Remember to always rotate chemistries.
Zack Snipes
- It has been a long and chilly winter, and I think we are finally in the midst of spring. Historically, the Charleston area receives about 400-600 chill hours annually. A chill hour is defined as the amount of time under 45 °F from a selected date range. I selected October 15 up until yesterday. We have accumulated 897 chill hours in Charleston thus proving it was a cold winter for us. To check the chill hours in your county, check out Clemson’s Chill Hours Calculator.
- All spring crops have exploded this week, with lettuces, onions, broccoli, and carrots being brought to market.
- Tomatoes will love the mid-70s sunny weather this week and should really take off.
- Strawberries are in the middle of our first big flush. I am seeing an uptick in spider mite numbers. With the warm, dry weather coming this week, if you could scout and get out a miticide, if needed, that would help yields and plant health for the next big flush.
Grafted tomatoes in a field that historically could not grow tomatoes due to extreme losses from bacterial wilt.
Zack Snipes, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Bright skies and warm temperatures will have tomatoes pushing hard this week.
Zack Snipes, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region
Rob Last
- Crop planting is proceeding well, and the establishment is looking very good.
- Keep monitoring for diamondback moth in brassicas. I am seeing some around now. Remember to rotate IRAC codes to minimize resistance.
- Strawberries are looking great in the area, but they have a few disease issues. Keep fungicides current and rotate FRAC codes to minimize resistance development and build-up.
- Mites are active in places. I am finding some hotspots in the fields.
Strawberries are looking great in the Midlands.
Rob Last, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Phillip Carnley
- Things are looking good here in the Midlands. Strawberry production is now in full swing for many producers. Berry quantity and quality is looking good so far, with little in the way of disease at present. Continue to monitor and maintain your spray program.
- Blueberries are really shining right now. Depending on variety, we are currently between the late pink bud and petal fall stage. Barring a late frost, based on the amount of blooms, it should be another good year for blueberries.
- Onions are doing great as well. For sweet onions, make sure your fertilizer and soil sulfur levels are very low.
- Blackberries are waking up nicely, and with that, so are diseases. Currently, there are still some issues with algal cane blotch/orange blotch, and leaf rust is present. For the agal cane blotch, make sure you are utilizing your 6 available sprays of a phosphite for control, and for the rust, fungicides like Pristine, Quilt Xcel, and Abound can be used. Be mindful of the PHI, as Quilt Xcel has a 30-day PHI.
- Leafy greens are still being transplanted in high volumes with a little black rot present, but at the moment, no major concerns.
Blueberries are blooming nicely in the Orangeburg area.
Paul Carnley, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Strawberries are in full bloom.
Paul Carnley, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Pee Dee Region
Christiana Huss
- U-pick strawberries are open for business! Spider mites have exploded on several farms, likely due to a few weeks of dry, warm weather. I am seeing high numbers of spider mite eggs on infested leaves. When egg populations are high, use a miticide that targets eggs such as Acramite, Kanemite, or Nealta. Be sure to alternate between different miticides and do not exceed 2 applications of each kind per season per label instructions.
- Disease pressure on strawberries has been low, possibly a result of dry weather. However, current rainstorms may cause an uptick in disease symptoms and spread if protectant fungicides were not applied before the storms.
- Be careful about boron applications, as I have seen several cases of toxicity. Send a leaf tissue analysis to our lab to determine if you need more or less boron.
Brown leaf edges can be a symptom of boron toxicity. This was confirmed with a leaf tissue analysis.
Christiana Huss, ©2025, Clemson Extension
