Weekly Field Update
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state.
Lowcountry Report
Zack Snipes
- We had some intense winds across the region last week. I saw a video of a safety cone blowing across a strawberry field in Berkeley County. Some growers covered their berries overnight to protect them from the forecasted frost. It sometimes makes me wonder whether covering berries during very strong winds might cause more damage (plants getting beaten up by row covers) than simply losing a few blossoms to frost.
- Overall, strawberries look good, with small fruit developing and plenty of blooms behind them. Keep an eye out for spider mites, as they can multiply quickly this time of year. When selecting a miticide, make sure you understand how the product works and which life stages it controls. For example, some products kill all stages of the mite, including eggs, while others target only eggs and juveniles.
Midlands Report
Rob Last
- Following some warmer weather and welcome rainfall, crops are really beginning to move.
- Strawberries are flowering with good fruit set and some early-ripening berries.
- On the whole, disease and mite activity are low, but keep scouting and applying multi-site fungicides or miticides where required.
- Blueberries are also rapidly flowering with open flowers on early cultivars.
- Now is the time to consider freeze protection and ensure plans are in place to protect blooms.
- Lettuce transplants are developing well, with few issues so far.
- Brassica transplants are going in well with good establishment.
- Direct-seeded onions are beginning to emerge.
Pee Dee Report
Brad Fowler
- Strawberries seem to be coming along nicely, but be sure to scout regularly and keep an eye out for spider mites and disease issues.
- Weeds also start growing pretty well this time of year, so it may be necessary to implement management strategies to keep them from getting out of hand.
- We are going to experience a weather roller coaster over the next week, and there may be damage to any uncovered flowers and developing strawberries, as well as to any recently planted vegetables, due to cold temperatures.
Upstate Report
Samantha Brown
- I don’t know about y’all, but this weather is giving me major whiplash. The F word (Frost) is being thrown around in the forecast for the week. With the intermixing of warm weather, our plants are coming into heavy bloom. Opened flowers are the most susceptible to frost damage. Covering plants for precautionary purposes would be my recommendation.
- Strawberry growers should be heavily scouting in the field as this week’s weather is going three different ways; rain, frost, and 80-degree days. Disease pressure will be high with the moisture in the air.
- Blueberry and peach varieties have loved this warmer weather. Checking their bloom stage will help you determine what plan of action to take in preparation for the cold. If you’re unsure of what to do, call your local Extension agent.
- Muscadines will soon begin breaking dormancy and showing bud swell in some locations. Inspect your trellis system, repair wires, and prepare for the upcoming season.
- Cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, broccoli and carrots enjoy this mild weather. Mild, warmer days and cool nights make these plants happy. Take advantage of the season before the heat arrives.