[{"id":2748,"date":"2026-07-16T18:14:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T18:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2748"},"modified":"2026-07-16T18:14:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T18:14:46","slug":"beat-the-heat-5-nutrition-tips-for-a-cooler-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/beat-the-heat-5-nutrition-tips-for-a-cooler-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Beat the Heat: 5 Nutrition Tips for a Cooler Summer!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Akendra Garrett, Berkeley and Charleston EFNEP Nutrition Educator and
Berkeley County Coordinator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

5 \u2013 Drink Up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water is your best friend. Aim to drink water throughout the day\u2014even before you feel thirsty. Add lemon, cucumber, berries, or mint for a refreshing twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 \u2013 Fill Up on Water-Rich Foods<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snack on fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, and celery to help keep you hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 \u2013 Keep Meals Light<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose lighter meals such as salads, grilled lean proteins, wraps, and fresh vegetables instead of heavy, greasy foods that can make you feel sluggish in the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 \u2013 Choose Smart Frozen Treats<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool off with frozen grapes, homemade fruit popsicles, yogurt parfaits, or fruit smoothies instead of sugary frozen desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 \u2013 Refuel After the Fun<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After spending time outside, replenish your body with water and a healthy snack that includes protein and carbohydrates, like apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit, or whole-grain crackers with cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay hydrated. Eat colorful foods. Beat the heat\u2014one healthy choice at a time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Akendra Garrett, Berkeley and Charleston EFNEP Nutrition Educator andBerkeley County Coordinator 5 \u2013 Drink Up! Water is your best friend. Aim to drink water throughout the day\u2014even before you feel thirsty. Add lemon, cucumber, berries, or mint for a refreshing twist. 4 \u2013 Fill Up on Water-Rich Foods Snack on fruits and vegetables with high […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4162,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70041,70314,70572,70898,71463,69613,71749,72047],"tags":[72614,15606,72616],"coauthors":[114923],"class_list":["post-2748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-allendale","category-bamberg","category-barnwell","category-beaufort","category-colleton","category-efnep","category-hampton","category-jasper","tag-berkeley","tag-charleston","tag-dorchester"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4162"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2748"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2748\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2749,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2748\/revisions\/2749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2748"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2735,"date":"2026-07-15T14:07:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T14:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2735"},"modified":"2026-07-15T14:07:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T14:07:52","slug":"4-h-tower-building-activity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/4-h-tower-building-activity\/","title":{"rendered":"4-H Tower Building Activity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Felicia C. Cunningham, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Jasper County<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This activity was conducted at the Agape Family Life Center in Hardeeville, SC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each team was tasked with building a tower using only the materials provided to them.  All teams received the same materials (spaghetti, gumdrops, and tape).  The tower had to be free-standing, and no team may add any additional material to it.  The team with the tallest tower wins.  Each team had 10 minutes to build the tower, and whoever had the tallest tower won. The main purpose of this activity is to work well together as a team to accomplish a task.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We discussed the skills needed to build a good team. During the activity, the youth had completely forgotten the skills that were discussed to accomplish the task.  They were arguing, blaming each other for the group\u2019s failure, and some team members decided to work alone.  Working effectively in a team requires a mix of soft skills and behavioral traits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Communication \u2013 Sharing thoughts, ideas and key information vividly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responsibility \u2013 Each person is responsible for completing the task on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honesty \u2013 Working through a disagreement and explaining why they could not complete the task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active listening \u2013 Focusing on other people as they share their ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adaptability \u2013 Changing project needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conflict resolution \u2013 Working through conflicts or disagreements.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After the activity, the youth revisited the skills above, discussed the challenges each group faced, and resolved the issues that arose.  Ms. Cunningham informed them that working well with others can help you complete tasks efficiently while creating an enjoyable environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Rights Statement<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Felicia C. Cunningham, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Jasper County This activity was conducted at the Agape Family Life Center in Hardeeville, SC. Each team was tasked with building a tower using only the materials provided to them.  All teams received the same materials (spaghetti, gumdrops, and tape).  The tower had to be free-standing, and no […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3978,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13303,72047],"tags":[],"coauthors":[114926],"class_list":["post-2735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-4-h","category-jasper"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3978"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2735"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2746,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2735\/revisions\/2746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2735"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2729,"date":"2026-07-14T19:52:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T19:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2729"},"modified":"2026-07-14T19:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T19:52:19","slug":"apple-grape-jelly-workshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/apple-grape-jelly-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple\/Grape Jelly Workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Felicia C. Cunningham, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Jasper County<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Beaufort County Family Community Leaders (FCL) participated in a workshop on June 12, 2026, focused on making Apple and Grape jelly.  Jellies <\/strong>are usually made by cooking fruit juice with sugar. Jelly should be clear or translucent and firm enough to hold its shape when turned out of the container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The half-pint jars were placed in a stock pot filled with water and boiled for 7 minutes to sterilize. The four ingredients were then placed in a jelly maker and cooked for 25 minutes.\u00a0 We quickly poured the hot jelly into hot jars, leaving \u00bc headspace. Wipe rims. Center lid on jar.\u00a0 Screw the band down until resistance is met, then tighten to fingertip-tight.\u00a0 Finally, the jars are placed in a water bath canner, completely covered with water and processed for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, we waited another 5 minutes, then removed the jars, cooled them, and stored them.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Preventing Spoilage of Jellies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though sugar helps preserve jellies and jams, molds can grow on the surface of these products. Research now indicates that the mold people usually scrape off the surface of jellies may not be as harmless as it seems. Mycotoxins have been found in some jars of jelly having surface mold growth. Mycotoxins are known to cause cancer in animals; their effects on humans are still being researched. Because of possible mold contamination, paraffin or wax seals are no longer recommended for any sweet spread, including jellies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Rights Statement<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Felicia C. Cunningham, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Jasper County Beaufort County Family Community Leaders (FCL) participated in a workshop on June 12, 2026, focused on making Apple and Grape jelly.  Jellies are usually made by cooking fruit juice with sugar. Jelly should be clear or translucent and firm enough to hold its shape when turned out […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3978,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13303,70898,72047],"tags":[],"coauthors":[114926],"class_list":["post-2729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-4-h","category-beaufort","category-jasper"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3978"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2729"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2734,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2729\/revisions\/2734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2729"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2714,"date":"2026-07-13T17:16:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2714"},"modified":"2026-07-13T17:16:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:16:42","slug":"whats-blooming-in-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/whats-blooming-in-july\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Blooming in July?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Christiana Huss, Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July is the season of heat advisories and high humidity. It can be difficult to find the motivation to venture outside and garden. But insects have different ideas of a good time. Bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies are busy taking advantage of summer blooms. Here, I\u2019ll share some flowers that are blooming in July feeding the active insects in the pollinator garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Passionflower<\/a>, my favorite multi-purpose native!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passionflowers, also called maypop, bloom on a perennial vine. These vines are the only host plant for the Gulf Fritillary caterpillar. In the fall, this plant grows passion fruits, which can be enjoyed by humans and wildlife alike. Passionflower is a hardy plant. It can tolerate drought, shade, sun, cold winters, and deer. Be aware that it is so easy to grow that it can get out of control. Only plant a passionflower if you really love them!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Blanket flower<\/a>, a low country garden staple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blanket flowers are perfectly adapted for coastal gardens. I often see them growing in empty lots or along beach dunes. They can tolerate salt and drought and love our sandy, well-drained soil. Blanket flowers are short-lived but reseed readily.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Scarlet rose mallow<\/a>, a true garden showstopper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos of scarlet rose mallow don\u2019t do it justice. This hibiscus is bright and huge! Their hot pink color attracts both hummingbirds and nectar-feeding insects. Solitary bees will use the hollow stems for nesting. This flower prefers wetter soil than the previously described blooms, making it a great choice for boggy areas or rain gardens.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Coneflower<\/a>, a pollinator restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purple or yellow coneflowers are garden favorites for pollinators. A hairstreak butterfly and a bee are shown here. In the fall, the seeds of the coneflower are a popular food for songbirds. Coneflowers are easy to care for once they are established. Although they prefer full sun, they will grow well in partial shade and can tolerate some drought. There are many species of coneflower native to South Carolina so find one that is adapted to your specific area. Removing dead flowers can encourage the plant to put out new blooms. But don\u2019t forget to leave a few at the end of the season for the winter songbirds to enjoy!<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sex, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christiana Huss, Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator July is the season of heat advisories and high humidity. It can be difficult to find the motivation to venture outside and garden. But insects have different ideas of a good time. Bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies are busy taking advantage of summer blooms. Here, I\u2019ll […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4162,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70041,70314,70572,70898,71463,71749,905,72047],"tags":[72614,15606,72616],"coauthors":[114923],"class_list":["post-2714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-allendale","category-bamberg","category-barnwell","category-beaufort","category-colleton","category-hampton","category-horticulture","category-jasper","tag-berkeley","tag-charleston","tag-dorchester"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4162"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2714"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2728,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2714\/revisions\/2728"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2714"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2707,"date":"2026-07-13T15:02:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T15:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2707"},"modified":"2026-07-13T15:02:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T15:02:41","slug":"its-time-to-make-fall-gardening-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/its-time-to-make-fall-gardening-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s Time to Make Fall Gardening Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent – Clemson University<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With temperatures in the mid to high 90\u2019s and the high humidity levels that is so common of the summer months in the low country, planning a fall garden may not be the minds of many home gardeners. As spring planted vegetables mature and production begins to wane, it time to get started with your gardening plans if you want fresh vegetables for the fall and winter months. A little work and planning ahead in the summer will improve and extend your harvest season in the fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before tilling up those summer vegetables that are past their prime, make a few notes about which varieties performed well, what pests were a problem, the sites of any herbicides used in case of<\/p>\n\n\n\n

plant-back restrictions and carry-over, and location of various summer crops to aid in rotation practices for next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove summer vegetable plants and discard or till them under to add organic matter to the soil.  Avoid using plants that have disease in a compost pile. Keep warm season weeds from going to seed, so you don\u2019t have to fight even more weeds next summer. Insect species often overwinter on some weed species. Keep pest out of the garden by keeping weeds out.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fall vegetable crops are categorized as long-term and short-term crops, their growing period depending on their cold tolerance and the date of the first killing frost. Some long-term crops include broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard, onions and turnips to name just a few. The following crops, although considered warm season crops can be planted in late summer and harvested prior to frost and are referred to as short-term crops for fall gardens. They include snap beans, butter or lima beans, southern peas, squash, tomatoes, and peppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, fall crops tend to do better when started from transplants rather than seed. Always use transplants when growing tomatoes and peppers. Purchase the largest transplants available. Larger transplants cost more; however, their root systems will spread faster and the plants will produce more fruit sooner. If you plan to start with seed, left over seed from spring planting may be used in fall gardens if stored in a cool, dry location or in a freezer or refrigerator. Check maturity dates listed on seed packets to see if your crops will have enough time to mature before frost. Check for the estimated annual frost date for your area and count back on the calendar the number of days it will take for your plants to mature. Many vegetable planting guides list estimated maturity dates for vegetable crops and recommended planting dates for both spring and fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Carolina summers are hot and dry. Some soil types can form a crust that will inhibit germination of small, seeded crops. Cool season vegetables such as lettuce will not germinate at temperatures above 85 degrees F. Be sure to keep the soil moist until seedlings have emerged and provide adequate irrigation to prevent young seedlings from drying out. Newly transplanted seedlings will also benefit from regular light waterings until they have had a chance to develop adequate root systems.  Avoid over watering to prevent problems like \u201cdamping off\u201d.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fertilizing fall planted crops can be challenging. Its common to rotate crops by replacing one crop with a different type of crop to help suppress soil-borne insects and diseases. If a heavy feeder crop like sweet corn is followed in the fall by a light feeder crop like southern peas there very well may be some residual soil fertility to reduce the fertilizer needed by the fall crop. On the other hand, if a heavy feeder crop follows a light feeding crop you will need to supply a complete fertilizer before planting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for insects to be more abundant during the fall since they have all spring and summer to build up populations. Keep a sharp eye out for pests like stinkbugs, squash and pickle worms, fall armyworms and other foliage feeding caterpillars by scouting vegetables on a regular basis. If you find it necessary to control insect infestations with a pesticide, first make sure you have properly identified the pest. Many pest control failures are the result of improper pest identification and the application of the wrong pesticide. Next select the appropriate pesticide material for the pest in question and the crop intended for treatment. Read and follow all directions on the pesticide label including application timing and rates, reentry intervals, preharvest intervals, required personal protection equipment (such as gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants, etc.) and proper disposal of empty pesticide containers. Pesticide labels contain a wealth of information intended  for the safe application of pest control products. Remember the label is the law! Insects pose an even greater challenge to organic production and gardeners who choose not to use pesticides have fewer control options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Carolinas long growing season and usually mild winters that afford gardeners the opportunity to grow fresh vegetables throughout the entire year. So, if you have some freezer space or just want fresh vegetables for the table during the winter months consider starting a fall garden. Be sure to check out the Clemson Extension Home Garden Information Center and download a copy of the factsheet, Planning for Fall Garden Success\u2026.Now. <\/em>For more information on growing vegetables in the home garden contact the Clemson Extension Office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Rights Statement<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent – Clemson University With temperatures in the mid to high 90\u2019s and the high humidity levels that is so common of the summer months in the low country, planning a fall garden may not be the minds of many home gardeners. As spring planted vegetables mature and production begins […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3978,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4930,70041,70314,70572,70898,71463,71749,905,72047,72613],"tags":[72614,15606,72616],"coauthors":[114926],"class_list":["post-2707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-agribusiness","category-allendale","category-bamberg","category-barnwell","category-beaufort","category-colleton","category-hampton","category-horticulture","category-jasper","category-master-gardener","tag-berkeley","tag-charleston","tag-dorchester"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3978"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2707"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2711,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2707\/revisions\/2711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2707"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2703,"date":"2026-07-08T12:34:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T12:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2703"},"modified":"2026-07-08T12:34:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T12:34:27","slug":"quenching-the-thirst-fueling-pecan-trees-for-a-better-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/quenching-the-thirst-fueling-pecan-trees-for-a-better-harvest\/","title":{"rendered":"Quenching the Thirst: Fueling Pecan Trees for a Better Harvest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anna Sara Hill, Horticulture Extension Agent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of all the fruit and nut trees you can grow in the backyard, pecan trees are among the thirstiest. Producing a healthy crop of high-quality pecans requires an enormous amount of water, especially during the growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the time nuts are set until they are fully developed, pecan trees rely on a consistent supply of moisture. Their greatest water demand occurs from August through October, during nut fill, when kernels are developing and gaining weight. During this period, a mature pecan tree can use as much as 350 gallons of water per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the water a pecan tree absorbs comes from the upper 32 inches of soil, making it important to keep that root zone consistently moist. In a typical year, rainfall provides only about one-half to two-thirds of the approximately 60 inches of water a mature pecan tree needs annually for optimum production. The remaining water must come from irrigation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During drought years, supplemental irrigation becomes even more critical to prevent stress and protect the developing crop. Even a short period of drought stress during nut fill can result in poorly filled nuts, lower yields, and reduced nut quality. If rainfall is lacking, irrigation must be used to replace the moisture deficit and keep trees growing without interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young pecan trees require special attention because their root systems are still developing. The first three years after planting are the most important for establishing a healthy pecan tree. From spring bud break through early August, provide about 1 inch of water per week to trees younger than 4 years old through rainfall or irrigation. As the trees enter the nut-fill period in early August, increase watering to approximately 2 inches per week until the shucks begin splitting in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever possible, water deeply and less frequently rather than applying small amounts every day. Deep watering encourages roots to grow farther into the soil, making trees more resilient during dry weather.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to conserve soil moisture is to apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch, such as pine straw, shredded bark, wood chips, or leaves. Mulch helps reduce evaporation, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds that compete for moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spread the mulch in a wide circle around the tree, but leave a gap of several inches around the trunk. Keeping mulch away from the base of the tree helps prevent excess moisture against the bark, reducing the risk of decay, disease, and insect problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of water as the fuel that powers pecan production. Trees that receive adequate moisture throughout the growing season produce healthier leaves, stronger shoots, and better-filled nuts. Consistent watering also helps reduce stress, allowing trees to devote more energy to producing quality crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, water is not just beneficial for pecan trees; it is essential for a consistent, quality nut crop!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Rights Statement<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Anna Sara Hill, Horticulture Extension Agent Of all the fruit and nut trees you can grow in the backyard, pecan trees are among the thirstiest. Producing a healthy crop of high-quality pecans requires an enormous amount of water, especially during the growing season. From the time nuts are set until they are fully developed, pecan […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4032,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70041,70314,70572,71749,905],"tags":[],"coauthors":[114925],"class_list":["post-2703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-allendale","category-bamberg","category-barnwell","category-hampton","category-horticulture"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4032"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2703"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2706,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2703\/revisions\/2706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2703"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2696,"date":"2026-07-07T14:06:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2696"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:06:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:06:01","slug":"celebrating-success-and-looking-ahead-in-berkeley-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/celebrating-success-and-looking-ahead-in-berkeley-county\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead in Berkeley County\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lina Prillaman, Berkeley County 4-H Agent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Berkeley County 4-H has a lot to celebrate! Earlier this year, members of the Best of Berkeley Club\u00a0represented\u00a0our county at the South Carolina 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) State Competition and achieved outstanding results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best of Berkeley Club placed\u00a02nd Overall in the Junior Team Division (ages 9\u201313)<\/strong>. Team members included\u00a0Summer Zumstein,\u00a0Dezarie\u00a0Zumstein, and Elizabeth Simmons<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are also proud to recognize\u00a0Summer Zumstein<\/strong>, who earned\u00a01st Place in the Junior Individual Division<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition, congratulations to\u00a0Fiona Stewart, Helen Stewart, Destany Zumstein, and Claire Stewart<\/strong>, who\u00a0participated\u00a0in their first State WHEP competition. Competing at the state level is a tremendous accomplishment, and we are proud of their hard work and dedication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As we celebrate these achievements, we are also looking ahead to one of the biggest events of the year\u2014the Coastal Carolina Fair. The 2026 Fair Book is now available, and registration is open for a variety of exciting contests and exhibits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth can showcase their creativity and skills through opportunities such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n