Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state.
Weekly Field Update – 9/28/20
Coastal
Zack Snipes reports, “Cooler temperatures have really helped out the direct seeded fall crops. Carrots, beets, and arugula are looking great around the Lowcountry. We had about two inches of rain so many fields are soggy. I am still seeing high numbers of whiteflies on just about every crop. Whitefly feeding will lower yields so make sure to scout the underside of leaves. I expect to see an increase of disease, particularly downy mildew on cucurbits and black rot on brassicas with the cooler temperatures and abundance of moisture.”
Midlands
Justin Ballew reports, “It’s been cooler this week and we got a little rain from the remnants of Beta. Its been several days since we’ve seen the sun, also. Lots of brassicas are being harvested now, and more are being planted. There is a little black rot out there and plenty of caterpillars still. Strawberry plastic has been laid in a number of places and planting is just right around the corner.”
Pee Dee
Tony Melton reports, “Too wet to plant greens or harvest sweet potatoes & peas. Peas are falling down reducing yield due to the inability to combine harvest. Sweet potatoes are beginning to rot due to the wet soils reducing yields and quality. Farmers are having to mud through fields to harvest pickles. Downy Mildew, Pythium leak, and belly rot are bad!”
Upstate
Kerrie Roach reports, “With the end of September, most all the local farmers markets are finishing up for the season. Online markets and specialty/holiday markets will continue, but many produce growers have finished production until spring. Apples are continuing to be about 2 weeks ahead of schedule with decent crops across the board. Some growers have experienced high rates of fungal pathogens just because of the high rain incidence.”