Check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast below. Statewide Jhessye Moore-Thomas As the end of the first year of the Climate-Smart Grown in SC program is approaching, leafy greens growers are preparing for verification visits. Here is a field that is enrolled in all three program practices, which include using cover […] The post SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – April 22, 2024 appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

Anybody who has spent time in the woods or other wild surroundings is familiar with ticks, those blood-sucking arachnids that seek out creatures, including we humans, on which to feed. Most of us also know that ticks are carriers of numerous diseases, the most known being Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. However, many […] The post Tick Talk appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

“April is the Kindest Month. April gets you out of your head and out working in the garden.” ~Marty Rubin~ The post April 22 Week 4 Garden Photos appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

It is the season for landscape weeds. That means people will be pulling and spraying weeds to keep the yard pretty and neat. Please remember to clean your sprayer after each use to keep it working effectively and efficiently. Failure to clean your sprayer can cause harm to unintended targets. Plus, leaving chemicals in your […] The post Sprayer Clean-Out appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

What caused this small, toothpick-like mass of sawdust to protrude from the trunk of this stressed peach tree? The small toothpick-like mass of sawdust protruding from the tree is often called a “frass toothpick” or “frass noodle”. The structure was created by an adult female ambrosia beetle (likely Xylosandrus spp.) tunneling into the tree. Ambrosia […] The post Question of the Week – Ambrosia Beetle appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

The HGIC Visit to Riverbanks Botanical Garden in Columbia ~Part 2~ This is a beautiful place to bring the whole family. There’s a 3-acre interactive Children’s Garden that features a dino dig, giant tree houses, splash zones, and more. Plant a visit soon! The post April 15 Week 3 Garden Photos appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

Ruby-throated hummingbirds: “Glittering fragments of a rainbow” John J. Audubon Do you love hummingbirds? In the spring, ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) return from their winter vacation in Mexico and Central America to breed in North America. These tiny birds, which weigh about the same as a penny, make an incredible journey of over 2000 miles, often […] The post Do You Love Hummingbirds? appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

So many readers have expressed interest in creating floral arrangements using flowers and foliage from their gardens. The items listed below are must-haves for your floral arranging toolbox. Start by purchasing a craft storage box with a handle to make organizing your supplies a breeze. Then, fill it with my favorite floral arranging supplies. Floral […] The post Flower Arranging Supplies appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

When you stroll down the aisles of your local grocery store, you’re bombarded with various food products, each fighting for your attention. Amidst the colorful packaging and enticing claims, it can be challenging to make healthy choices. That’s where understanding food labels or the nutrition facts label comes in handy. This guide will show you […] The post Decoding Food Labels: How to Make Informed Choices at the Grocery Store appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more

What is the bloated tan thing found on the underside of this strawberry leaf? This is an aphid “mummy,” the lifeless body of an aphid that has been parasitized by a parasitoid wasp. Typically, the adult wasps are tiny, at only 0.08-0.12 inches long. The female wasp lays its eggs inside of the aphid. The […] The post Question of the Week – Parasitized Aphid appeared first on Home & Garden Information Center ..read more