It is time to plant peanuts according to the calendar, but heavy rains have put a stop to planting for a few days until farmers can get into the fields with their equipment. Farmers normally wait to plant peanuts until around April 20th to help manage the thrips that cause tomato spotted wilt virus. This year, they may want to watch the soil temperatures. The UGA weather station in Bulloch County shows that the soil temperature was 62 degrees on the morning of April 22, 2020. According to UGA row crop physiologist Cristiane Pilon, it is best to have three consecutive days of 68 degree soil temperatures prior to planting for good germination. For more information, check out this article on planting peanuts: https://extension.uga.edu/story.html?storyid=7579&story=Peanut-Planting-Time
For more information about soil temps and weather in your area check out the UGA Weather Network: https://www.georgiaweather.net/
Written by Wiley Ross Greene, Evans County ANR Agent.
