By Clint Thompson
Chill hours have not been a problem this year for Georgia’s fruit farmers. They have experienced a sufficient amount of chill hours to help produce this year’s crop, especially compared to previous years.
According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Tifton, Georgia, received 729.25 chill hours from Oct. 1, 2024 to Feb. 2, 2025. That’s compared to 561.75 last year and 510.5 two years ago.
In Fort Valley, Georgia, there were 847.5 chill hours recorded from Oct. 1, 2024 to Feb. 2, 2025, compared to 731.75 last year and 630 the year before.
In Baxley, Georgia, during that same time frame, there were 726.5 chill hours recorded, compared to 580.5 last year and 533.5 two years ago.
Fruits, like peaches and apples, require chill hours to mature. The required chill hours depend on the specific variety growers choose to plant. Some may require as little as 500 chill hours, while others may need as many 800. Chill hours are typically tracked until about Feb. 14.