Highlights from Master Gerdener Brad Fowler visit on Sept. 30th, 2024 Heather Glen

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Brad Fowler is the urban horticulture agent and master gardener coordinator for Horry & Georgetown counties.

Prior to working for Clemson Extension, he worked as a horticulturist for Brookgreen Gardens and as the manager for a local landscape company.  He has a strong interest in helping homeowners and landscape professionals learn & maintain proper horticultural practices.

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The following is the notes that I was able to capture as fast as he was speaking.  I have included links below these notes all the links that he provided (handout).  

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Soil Sample

Soil Testing = pH - Acidic vs Alkaline - Sulfer vs Lime - Nutrient Levels - Plant Specific Recommendations

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Soil Test = Garden & plant beds  $10 for garden mix test

Turf Test - lawn - Gather 5-8 seperate samples, dig 4" down and collect 1/4 cup combine all samples together (need about 1 pint zip lock bag worth).  Soil sample MUST be dry.   $6.00 for turf soil test 

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Organic Matter - Organic matter is very important whn amending soil.

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Fertilization - Say No To Nitrogen!  (Shrubs and lawns), you can add potasium if you want to

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Irrigation/Water Management - Turn it off - Put down the hose and step away from the plants!​ (except garden beds/annuals)

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Turf - Head into winter with a healthy lawn.

Raise mowing height - raise to condition your lawn as it starts to condition itself for the winter

Over seeding - avoid doing this

Weed control - Cleanup gardens before winter

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Insects and disease​

Army Worms - Treat immediately 

Large Patch/Brown Patch - Treat immediately This is a fungial problem (stop watering)

Mole Crickets - You should treat in July before the larve mature

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 Coastal Region (USDA Zone 8b)

Ornamentals 

Planting:

Trees and shrubs - Native plants recomended - River Birch, American Holly, Magnolia trees, Sweet grass

Resource = https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/planning-a-garden/

Find information on Annuals and Perenials, Bulbs​, Pruning, Cleaning, Mulching- See websites provided

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Vegetable Garden - See Fact Sheet

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Odds and Ends: Fire Ants, Equipment, Irrigation - See websites provided

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 Where to go: 

Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center https://hgic.clemson.edu/

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/index.html

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/​