Urban Horticulture in Spartanburg County

September 20, 2023

Drew Jeffers
Horticulture and Natural Resources Agent
Spartanburg County

6^th Annual IPM Symposium Keeps Growing!

Master Gardeners in the field.

Master Gardeners

Horticulture agent Drew Jeffers has some exciting programs and projects coming up! The 6^th Annual Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Symposium in Greer, SC, is sold out. It is now a hybrid event where satellite locations around the state can view the event held in Greer via live stream. This popular annual program provides five pesticide recertification credits for commercial landscapers and growers who rely on pesticide license compliance to maintain their livelihood. Participants will learn about emerging invasive species, chemical and non-chemical control methods for turf and landscape pests. Professionals who follow IPM practices, benefit from long-term, cost-efficient pest management, as well as reduce environmental risks such as impact to water quality. The program is scheduled for October 26^th, 2023, and is estimated to reach over 250 stakeholders.

Clemson Extension Training Master Gardener Community Volunteers!

Master Gardeners

Our Master Gardener Volunteer training course is off to an excellent start. The Master Gardener program trains citizens who want to give back to their community by delivering horticultural education outreach and service to residents through various locally-offered programs. There are approximately 284,307 residents in Spartanburg County spread across 819 square miles in the Upstate of South Carolina. Due to county size and population, Clemson University Cooperative Extension in Spartanburg County relies on knowledgeable Master Gardeners to help meet the consumer horticulture needs of our residents. Students learn about soil conditioning, soil fertility, plant identification, weed management, storm-water runoff pollution, drainage mitigation, integrated pest management, and pesticide safety.

Master Gardeners in the Spartanburg Extension Office.

The Spartanburg Master Gardeners are involved in multiple projects around the county. Some include work with Habitat for Humanity, Hatcher Gardens, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Farmers Market, The Landrum Farmers Market, and many others. The Spartanburg Master Gardener association, known as the Master Gardener Association of the Piedmont (MGAP), also runs a one-acre Plant-A-Row Garden, which provides over 15,000 lbs of quality produce to local soup kitchens and food pantries annually. To learn more about SC Master Gardeners, please click here. To learn more about the local association activities, please click here.