The impact the March 13 freeze event had on Georgia’s blueberry crop might be worse than expected, according to a recent article by Clint Thompson in Specialty Crop Industry. According to the article, the lingering effects of the freeze include diseases as well as fruit quality issues. Estimates were that 54 million pounds of blueberries were lost due to the cold weather, which dropped down to 26 F at a very susceptible time for the berries.

Blueberries in Appling County, Ga., March 16 coated in a layer of ice from irrigation water in an effort to protect them from a severe freeze which appears to have devastated Georgia’s 2017 blueberry crop. Source: Bob Kemerait.