American Alligator at the water’s edge in the bright morning sunshine at Jarvis Creek Park.

Lowcountry Almanac: April

With sunshine, sea breezes, and blooms in full swing, April in the Lowcountry is made for the outdoors. From azalea-lined garden paths to golf rounds under blue skies, this month offers the perfect balance of mild mornings and golden afternoons. With tips from the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac and Grow Great Vegetables South Carolina, this guide will help you make the most of the season — whether you’re digging in the dirt or soaking up springtime vibes.

RBC Heritage 2024 Rain
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The PGA Tour shares the weather decisions behind the 2024 RBC Heritage

When storm clouds rolled in during the final round of the 2024 RBC Heritage, play was suspended for more than two hours, ultimately pushing the finish to Monday — without fans. While frustrations ran high among players and spectators, the PGA Tour’s decision-making process was rooted in data, protocol and a bit of unpredictability. We spoke with Gary Young, Senior VP of Rules and Competitions for the PGA Tour, to get a behind-the-scenes look at how weather calls are made, who’s involved, and why no changes are planned for 2025.

No Golf Today - Rain on golf course
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How weather has shaped the Heritage over the years

From sudden downpours to lightning-filled skies, the RBC Heritage has seen its share of weather drama over the decades. While Harbour Town Golf Links is known for its challenging layout, Mother Nature has added her own obstacles, testing players’ patience, adaptability and grit. Whether it’s wind that changes club selection or storms that push the finish to Monday, weather has left a lasting mark on this storied Lowcountry tournament. Take a look back at the most memorable weather moments in Heritage history — and how they changed the game.

Wind on the golf course at Harbour Town - RBC Heritage
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How the world’s best golfers deal with the elements at Harbour Town

Harbour Town Golf Links may be famous for its tight fairways and tiny greens, but ask any PGA Tour pro and they’ll tell you — it’s the weather that’s the real wild card. From coastal winds that swirl unpredictably to sudden storms that halt play, the elements shape the RBC Heritage as much as the course design. Here’s how elite golfers prepare, adjust, and strategize when Mother Nature joins the leaderboard.

Bright green beach grasses in the surf during high tide at Fish Haul Beach on Hilton Head Island.

Discover the fascinating journey of cordgrass and the origin of those brown sticks dotting our shores

Those brown “sticks” dotting the shoreline? They’re actually smooth cordgrass, also known as Sporobolus alterniflorus — a vital part of the Lowcountry’s marsh ecosystem. This humble plant plays a powerful role in nurturing wildlife, stabilizing shorelines, and signaling the changing seasons. From lush green blades in summer to dried winter reeds swept in by the tides, discover the fascinating journey of cordgrass and its importance to our coastal environment.

Boardwalk into a marsh land at twilight
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Discovering the Magic of the Lowcountry’s Salt Marshes

With over 200,000 acres of salt marsh, Beaufort County is a place where the tides shape not just the land—but life itself. These golden wetlands pulse with activity, from crabs hatching in winding creeks to shorebirds gliding over sunlit shallows. As both a thriving ecosystem and a natural coastal defense, the Lowcountry marsh is a story written in water, rhythm, and resilience.

Fourth-generation Blufftonian Amber Kuehn grew up on the May River

Local marine biologist Amber Kuehn weaves her lifetime of experiences into a single perfect day 

For Amber Kuehn, a local marine biologist and lifelong Lowcountry resident, the salt marsh isn’t just scenery — it’s home, history, and heart. In this immersive first-person journey, she weaves a lifetime of experiences into a single unforgettable day, offering readers a poetic and deeply personal glimpse into the magic, mystery, and meaning of the marsh. From childhood swims to scientific discovery, each tide tells a story.

Aerial shot of marsh grass and estuary in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

How Beaufort County’s Salt Marshes Sustain Life with Every Tide

With more salt marsh grass than any other U.S. county, Beaufort County’s Port Royal watershed is affectionately known as the Nursery of the Ocean. Spanning over 200,000 acres, these marshes are flooded twice daily, creating a rhythmic tidal cycle that nurtures marine life and shapes the ecosystem. From the moon’s gravitational pull to the precise timing of slack tide, this intricate dance of water sustains everything from oysters and shrimp to birds and bottlenose dolphins.

Great Egret Mating Dance head up

Discover the nesting secrets of the Lowcountry’s wading birds

Every spring, the Lowcountry’s wetlands and coastal waterways come alive with a flurry of feathers and fascinating rituals. From elaborate courtship displays to attentive parenting, wading birds like egrets, herons, ibises, and roseate spoonbills turn local rookeries into bustling avian neighborhoods. Discover how these colonies form, which species you’re most likely to spot, and how alligators surprisingly help protect nests in places like Cypress Wetlands and Pinckney Island.