![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/Passion-Flower-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>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 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> 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 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> 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":2712,"date":"2026-07-13T15:10:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T15:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2712"},"modified":"2026-07-13T15:10:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T15:10:42","slug":"summer-is-sizzling-and-so-is-efnep-programming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/summer-is-sizzling-and-so-is-efnep-programming\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Is Sizzling… and So Is EFNEP Programming!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n Summer is in full swing, and so is the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)! This summer, EFNEP is partnering with Kids on Point to deliver an engaging nutrition education series to more than fifty youth attending summer camp at two Charleston-area locations, North Charleston and Downtown Charleston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is great walking in the classroom and the students cheering and excited to learn about nutrition, says Nutrition Educator, Akendra Garrett. Those moments reinforce the importance of our work, and the lasting difference nutrition education can make in a child\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through this series, participants are taking part in fun, interactive lessons that promote healthy lifestyles and encourage positive habits. Youth are learning the importance of food safety, nutrition, making healthy snack choices, and creative ways to stay physically active, even during the summer months. These hands-on experiences help children build the knowledge and confidence needed to make healthier choices for themselves and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is committed to helping youth develop lifelong healthy habits through evidence-based nutrition education. By partnering with organizations like Kids on Point, EFNEP can reach children where they are, equipping them with practical skills that support healthier choices today and help them build a foundation for a healthier lifetime. Together, these efforts are empowering youth with the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions that can positively impact on their health and well-being throughout their lives.<\/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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Akendra Garrett, EFNEP Agent \u2013 Berkeley and Charleston Counties Summer is in full swing, and so is the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)! This summer, EFNEP is partnering with Kids on Point to deliver an engaging nutrition education series to more than fifty youth attending summer camp at two Charleston-area locations, North Charleston […]<\/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":[69613],"tags":[72614,15606],"coauthors":[114923],"class_list":["post-2712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-efnep","tag-berkeley","tag-charleston"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2712","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=2712"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2712\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2713,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2712\/revisions\/2713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2712"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2712"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2712"}],"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 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 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 <\/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 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 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 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 Whether you are a returning participant or considering entering for the first time, the Coastal Carolina Fair is a great opportunity to learn new skills, share your talents, and represent Berkeley County 4-H.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We encourage families to review the Fair Book and begin planning their projects now. Registration for contests and exhibits is due October 5, and we look forward to seeing the creativity and hard work of our 4-H members on display this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/canva.link\/hlxihoiy2mb3shz<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Congratulations again to our state competitors for their success, and best of luck to everyone preparing for the Coastal Carolina Fair!<\/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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lina Prillaman, Berkeley County 4-H Agent 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 The Best of Berkeley Club placed\u00a02nd Overall in the Junior Team Division (ages 9\u201313). […]<\/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":[13303],"tags":[72614,15606,72616],"coauthors":[114923],"class_list":["post-2696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-4-h","tag-berkeley","tag-charleston","tag-dorchester"],"fimg_url":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2696","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=2696"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2700,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2696\/revisions\/2700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2696"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2693,"date":"2026-07-07T13:52:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2693"},"modified":"2026-07-07T13:52:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:52:53","slug":"water-with-a-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/water-with-a-twist\/","title":{"rendered":"“Water with a Twist!”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n Beaufort County\u2019s Expanded Food and Nutrition Educator, Patti Chapman, suggests beating the heat of summer by making sure you\u2019re properly HYDRATED!\u00a0 Pass on the sugar-loaded drinks and choose a healthy, refreshing option like \u201cWater with a Twist!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Civil Rights Statement<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Patti H. Chapman, Nutrition Educator, Beaufort County Beaufort County\u2019s Expanded Food and Nutrition Educator, Patti Chapman, suggests beating the heat of summer by making sure you\u2019re properly HYDRATED!\u00a0 Pass on the sugar-loaded drinks and choose a healthy, refreshing option like \u201cWater with a Twist!\u201d Civil Rights Statement<\/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":[70041,70314,70572,70898,71463,69613,71749,72047],"tags":[72614,15606,72616],"coauthors":[114926],"class_list":["post-2693","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\/2693","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=2693"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2695,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2693\/revisions\/2695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2693"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2689,"date":"2026-07-07T13:09:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2689"},"modified":"2026-07-07T13:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:09:33","slug":"dont-let-your-guard-down-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/dont-let-your-guard-down-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Let Your Guard Down This Summer!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n The summer is upon us, and it is hot and humid in the garden. The joys of spring gardening and the fulfillment of a summer harvest have passed. Most gardens by this time of year are overgrown with weeds, full of dying plants, and void of productive life. This is a critical time for Lowcountry gardeners to take back control of their garden spots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the summer, weeds, insects, diseases, and nematodes thrive in our garden spaces if left unchecked. All too often, it’s hot and humid, so we neglect our gardens and vow to attend to them when temperatures cool off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pests are rapidly multiplying during these months and will become significant problems in the fall or next spring’s garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Weeds thrive in hot conditions and produce tubers, rhizomes, and\/or seeds that remain dormant in the soil until conditions are right for germination. A single female pigweed plant can produce upwards of 500,000 (yes, half a million) seeds. Those seeds can lie dormant for decades until conditions are right for them to germinate. Today’s eyesore can become a serious problem for decades to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A very similar scenario is happening underground with nematodes as well. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that invade plant roots and take nutrients and energy from the plant. Unchecked growth from letting gardens go feral during the summer causes exponential population growth and major problems in next year’s garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be asking yourself, “What should I do instead of letting my garden go?” Below are several management options to keep your garden thriving for years to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remove any non-productive plants. Pull plants and discard them in the trash or burn piles. Plants left in the field serve as a breeding ground for insects, diseases, and nematodes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Till in weeds and plant debris. The best way to manage pests is to prevent the host from being present. Tillage breaks down plant material, recycling nutrients in the soil. Tillage also keeps weeds from making seeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider a cover crop. Once a garden has been tilled, sowing a cover crop can add nutrients back into the soil for a fall or spring planting. Some of my summer favorites are cowpeas, soybeans, millet, sorghum Sudan hybrid, buckwheat, and Sunn hemp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Create a flower patch. Sow easy annuals such as zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, and buckwheat to fill the space, but add pollinator habitat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cover with a silage tarp to smother weeds for the next planting. <\/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":" Zachary Snipes, Assistant Program Team Leader-Horticulture, Area Horticulture Agent The summer is upon us, and it is hot and humid in the garden. The joys of spring gardening and the fulfillment of a summer harvest have passed. Most gardens by this time of year are overgrown with weeds, full of dying plants, and void of […]<\/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-2689","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\/2689","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=2689"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2692,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689\/revisions\/2692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2689"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2681,"date":"2026-06-29T14:38:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/?p=2681"},"modified":"2026-06-29T14:38:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:38:39","slug":"navigating-the-dry-spell-drought-impacts-and-water-conservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/navigating-the-dry-spell-drought-impacts-and-water-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating the Dry Spell: Drought Impacts and Water Conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n When the South Carolina Drought Response Committee<\/a> updates the state’s status, <\/strong>it is more important than ever for Palmetto State residents to understand how drought impacts their daily lives and what they can do to protect our shared water resources.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Navigating drought conditions in South Carolina requires an understanding of how state agencies manage these dry spells, their real-time impacts, and the actionable conservation steps residents can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitoring and Management: The Roles of SCDNR and SCDES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Drought response in South Carolina is a highly coordinated effort led by two primary state agencies, alongside local partners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When water tables drop, these agencies monitor everything from streamflow to underground aquifers to ensure public safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impacts on South Carolina Residents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Drought is not just about a brown lawn; it has a cascading effect on our infrastructure, economy, and environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside the Home<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Around the Yard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Clemson Extension advises utilizing “Water-Wise” landscaping principles<\/a> to drastically lower your outdoor water footprint:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Every Resident Should Keep in Mind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you turn on the hose or light a backyard fire pit, remember these three rules of thumb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/Blanket-Flower-768x1024.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/rose-mallow-large-red-flower-1-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/Purple-Cone-Flower-1-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Akendra Garrett, EFNEP Agent \u2013 Berkeley and Charleston Counties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent – Clemson University<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/Fall-Gardening.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAnna Sara Hill, Horticulture Extension Agent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/Anna-Sara-Pic2-1024x818.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLina Prillaman, Berkeley County 4-H Agent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/image.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/image-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/image-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPatti H. Chapman, Nutrition Educator, Beaufort County<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/Patti-Chapman.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nZachary Snipes, Assistant Program Team Leader-Horticulture, Area Horticulture Agent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/cover-crop-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/07\/e3f3df78-9995-4781-8116-2346816b92e3-1024x768.jpg\")
MOLLY JONES, REGIONAL WATER RESOURCES AGENT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-29-103221.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Water-Wise Conservation: Insights from Clemson Cooperative Extension<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Stay Up to Date!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/image-3.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Presley-Pic2.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Presley-Pic1-5.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Presley-Pic4.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Presley-Pic5.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Presley-Pic3.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Presley-Pic6.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Roxane-Pic2-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.clemson.edu\/savannahvalley\/files\/2026\/06\/Roxane-Pic1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n