Fruit
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This week farmers and extension agents were hard at work across Georgia and other Southeastern states assessing the damage from the frost on Sunday, March 13. Here is a brief summary of the comments I have received from my colleagues and friends on what they have seen. Keep in mind that some frost damage, particularly…
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Florida watermelon farmers are still assessing the impacts of the January 30 freeze that affected many parts of the state. At this point, producers are still determining how much damage to the plants has occurred, and it does not appear that the overall damage was devastating, but some production could be set back by cold…
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In spite of the cold temperatures that occurred as far south as central Florida on January 30, most fruit growers experienced less severe conditions than they expected. Here is a story about Florida strawberry growers and how they weathered the cold conditions at ‘Resilient’ Strawberry Growers Continue Season Following Freeze – Specialty Crop Industry.
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The cold temperatures we have had in January and early February have had one beneficial impact on peach producers–areas in central AL and GA are experiencing a good run of chill hours. That will help the peaches mature and produce a good set of fruit, growers hope. You can read more at Specialty Crop Industry…
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Reports on damage to blueberries and other crops continue to come in from the severe frost of January 30. Fortunately, most of the producers I have talked to in Georgia have told me that the damage was not as severe as expected considering that the temperature got down into the low 20s with a dew…
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The recent frost had blueberry growers worried about losing their crop this past weekend. While evaluations are still coming in, many of the producers are relieved that damage to their farms does not appear to be as bad as first feared. The crop was well ahead of normal this year due to the unusually warm…
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One group of people that has been pleased by the recent cold weather is the farmers who grow peaches. After several years of low chill hours due to warm winters, they are happy that the number of chill hours (hours below 45 F) is higher this year than in the recent past. This means that…