Bill Hayes

Black spot of rose is an ascomyte fungal disease caused by the pathogen Marssonina rosae (Mr, the imperfect or asexual stage / Diplocarpon rosae (Dr) is the sexual stage). This pathogen is likely the most serious and common disease of … Read More

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a time we like to sit down together, quietly reflect on the past year and make plans for the coming year. Because our gardens add so much to our lives, planning for … Read More

Many of the recent calls to the Clemson Extension office have been about our cool to cold spring. It certainly has been a different start than last year. One of the first trees to bloom is the Bradford Pear. Last … Read More

In 1962, author Rachel Carson wrote a series of articles that warned the public of the dangers of using common garden and household chemicals. Her arguments are still debated today and like any point of view, there are two sides … Read More

Gardeners spend much of their time talking about the weather. Flowers, grass and crops thrive or fail based on the proper amount of rain and sun and the gardener keeps an eye on both. The differences in the weather vary … Read More

Those beautiful crape myrtles are in bloom again. The many varieties bloom at different times and provide magnificent color almost to our first frost. But, is it ”crape” or “crepe” myrtle? I guess it depends on how your parents or … Read More

The title might sound like an old Kingston Trio song but what has happened to our color? Right now, Aiken is an expanse of green. We have green trees, shrubs, grass and a few frogs but very little color. This … Read More

The recent drop in temperature shows just how fast we can go from shorts and flip-flops to long pants and sweatshirts. The lawn and garden react in a similar manner. The first plants to show a reaction are the tropicals … Read More

Aiken has two growing seasons for turfgrass. We grow warm season grasses like centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda and zoysia from late April until the first frost. A first frost can come as early as the first part of October or … Read More