By Clint Thompson Fruit production is well under way in South Carolina’s coastal region. Rob Last, Clemson horticultural Extension agent for Bamberg, Barnewell, Allendale and Hampton counties, provided production updates for various crops, which includes minimal pest and disease pressure. “Everything’s looking very good at the moment,” Last said. “Peaches, blueberries and strawberries are all flowering nicely. We’re looking very …
Florida Farmer: Strawberry Market in Shambles
By Clint Thompson The strawberry season is nearing an end for Florida growers. To say that producers have had their share of challenges would be an understatement. Input costs have spiraled out of control, and the strawberry market is in “shambles,” according to Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. “As an industry, I think we’re …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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 Rob Last reports, “Starting with strawberries, the development of plants is taking off with little in the way of disease pressure currently. Flower formation and fruit set are beginning. Keep monitoring crops for botrytis development …
Wish Farms Celebrates 100 Years Built on Berries
By Frank Giles This year, Wish Farms, a Plant City-based berry grower and marketer, will celebrate a century in operation. Gary Wishnatzki, president of Wish Farms, represents the third generation in the family business. Gary’s grandfather, Gershon Wishnatzki, was the first generation that started with a fruit and vegetable pushcart in New York City. Gershon made his way to Florida …
Sneak Peek: March 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
By Clint Thompson The March issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights advancements in the management of cornsilk flies. Julien Beuzelin, an assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, discusses the insects, where they are found and why the potential for pyrethroid resistance is a concern. …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates
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 Rob Last reports, “Strawberries in the area look good, with some new leaf development emerging from the crown. Boron applications are being applied, either as a foliar application or through the drip system. Remember, we …
Nematode Management for Organic Crops
By Johan Desaeger Southeastern states have been slow to adopt organic crops. However, they recorded the most growth in organic production in the last 10 years. States such as California, Vermont, Maine and New York have a longer history with organic production. A great deal of scientific research now supports organic agriculture in these states. This is not the case …
Alabama Strawberry Variety Trials: What are the Favorites?
By Clint Thompson The future of strawberry production in Alabama rests on the variety trials currently being conducted by Edgar Vinson and Alabama Extension. The assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University discussed the importance of his ongoing research, starting with the Camarosa variety. “We want our growers to have more available. We …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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 reports, “Now is the time for Lowcountry strawberry growers to give their plants the first shot of boron. Boron helps with both flower and fruit development. Growers can spray boron or inject via the drip …
Botrytis Problem for a Florida Strawberry Grower
By Clint Thompson One Florida strawberry grower emerged relatively unscathed from last weekend’s freeze event. But now Dustin Grooms is coping with a new problem for his strawberry crop. “We did okay. We definitely did lose a little bit of bloom, not too bad. Some of the berries got bit a little bit on the ends, but not real bad,” …