Clemson Extension Upstate District

Horticulture in Greenville County

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Drew Jeffers
Horticulture Agent
Greenville County

Urban Tree Workshop for Greenville County Landscape and Tree Professionals 

Urban tree care is a growing need in Greenville County. Clemson Extension held a full-day workshop for tree care and landscape professionals. The workshop was a joint effort between the Horticulture agent Drew Jeffers and Forestry and Natural Resource agent Carolyn Dawson. Bringing together knowledge extension specialists Dr. David Coyle and Dr. Bob Polomski, as well as knowledgeable extension agents Briana Namauk, Jennifer Weaver, and Dr. Adam Gore. Namauk discussed the importance of the recent Bradford Pear ban and how professionals could help spread the word for homeowners to participate in Clemson Extension’s Bradford Pear Bounty Program. Dr. Coyle talked about the impact of the Asian Longhorn Beetle and what professionals can do to look out for it here in Greenville County. Dr. Polomski reviewed the importance of identifying trees accurately without using AI apps and knowing what species are being managed. Jennifer Weaver reminded professionals of alternative plant choices for common pest-prone trees. Dr. Gore shared his recent work with herbicide damage/injury testing on trees. Sharing pictures of damage progression in common trees to commonly used herbicides; making it easier for professionals to compare damage seen in practice. Dawson wrapped the day with an update on her work tracking and helping to prevent Hemlock Wooly Adelgid from harming our native Hemlocks in the upstate. Hemlocks play an important role in nature as they shade streams and rivers and provide critical habitat for wildlife. They are also a desirable evergreen ornamental in our landscapes. Jeffers and Dawson are repeating the workshop with updated topics in Jan 2025.

New Master Gardener Recruits Reporting for Duty

The SC Master Gardener program trains volunteers to provide horticultural education and expanded outreach to the community. The Greater Greenville Master Gardener Group provides thousands of hours of educational and community service to Greenville County, and the latest recruits have begun their 17-week boot camp to become Certified Master Gardeners. This year, Horticulture agent Drew Jeffers has two classes of fourteen students. classes began on Aug 6, 2024, and students will take their final exams the week before Thanksgiving. These students receive over 40 hours of intense research-based information on gardening and landscape topics such as soil conditioning, fertilizers, integrated pest management (IPM), lawn care, vegetable gardening, and more! Upon completion of the course, they will then be required to complete 40 hours of community educational service in Greenville County to become fully certified. Once certified, they will complete 20 hours a year of community service to maintain their certification. These volunteers in training are eager to serve the community and have proven so far to be Drew’s most eager class yet.

New Advanced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Course for Landscape Professionals

South Carolina Certified Landscape Professional logo

Building on the success of the South Carolina Certified Landscape Professional (SCCLP), Clemson Extension has launched a follow-up course called the SCCLP Advanced Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This course is designed to provide professionals with knowledge toolkits on how to effectively manage pests in a economical, scientific, and environmentally sound way. The course covers both turf and landscape focusing on tenants of weed, insect, and disease management. Participants have 30 days of access and so far the course has been well received by the professional horticulture community.

Upcoming Programs!

Drew Jeffers is the new Horticulture agent in Greenville County. He has been with extension for 7 years first serving in Spartanburg county. Drew has begun holding classes and training for both consumer and professional clients here in Greenville County and offers a variety of gardening and landscape topics. Drew is also set to begin a free webinar series through the Greenville County Extension Facebook page where he will post a free training periodically throughout the year. Below are some of his upcoming trainings. Click here to sign up to be alerted to gardening/landscape classes and pesticide license training alerts.

  • Jan 21, 2025 – Urban Tree Health Workshop, REWA Administration Building, Greenville, SC
  • Jan 31, 2025 – All About Vegetable Gardening, REWA Administration Building, Greenville, SC
  • Feb 20, 2025 – Pesticide Credit Webinar: Consumer knowledge of IPM and how we can use it in pest management decisions. Online Via Zoom.
  • Feb 26, 2025 – Pesticide Credit Webinar: Will Consumers Pay for a Scouting Program Offered by Landscape Professionals? 
  • March 5, 2025 –  Ornamental Pest Management for Home Landscapes, Online Via Zoom.
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