What’s the Latest? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Strawberry plants under the snow. (Z. Snipes)

Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state.

Coastal Region

Zack Snipes

  • Not too much to report on this week as the Lowcountry was covered by snow and sleet for the week. We received three inches of sleet at my house, and everything is still defrosting at the moment. Soils are super soggy.
  • As temperatures warm up and things dry out, growers will be working fields and setting greens and onions.
  • Some growers covered strawberries, while others left them uncovered. A fungicide application is needed soon on berries, as we’ve had lots of wetness and warming temperatures coming this week.
  • Please save the date for the Preplant Growers Meeting in Charleston on Feb. 25. More details and registration to come under the events tab on South Carolina Grower.  

Midlands

Rob Last

  • After an exceptionally cold week in the Midlands, we are looking at a warming trend for this week.
  • Many strawberry crops have been covered for the last week to minimize potential crown damage. Once covers have been removed, crop inspection for damage from the cool weather will be important. If you need assistance assessing any damage, please reach out to your agent. Monitoring covered crops also becomes important for managing diseases. I have seen active botrytis on previously damaged tissues. Remove any flowers as these can become a foci of infection.

Sarah Scott

  • It has been a cold week around here! I had around 2.5 inches of snow in Aiken last Tuesday/Wednesday. Along with the snow came bitter cold which strawberry growers prepared for by putting heavier row covers on for insulation. Since the temperatures appear to be warming up for the foreseeable future, most growers will move to lighter row covers to allow more sunlight penetration and air movement.
  • Peach trees are being planted as planting stock arrives. There have been reports from some nurseries that trees may be smaller this season due to drought conditions over the growing season last year. Nursery stock still looks good and healthy and will catch up quickly, so this is nothing to worry about.
  • Peach pruning has started in most of the Ridge. Dormant oil applications will go out as the weather permits. It is recommended to apply two dormant oil applications to result in better control of scale throughout the season.