By Clint Thompson
Alabama peach growers have enough chill hours to make a crop this year. Now comes the hard part; avoiding a late-season freeze event that could devastate a crop.
Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, discussed that unfortunate scenario with AgNet Media during the recent Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference on Feb. 4-6 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
“That’s always going to be a concern; a late-season frost or freeze after trees have broken dormancy. It’s good that we’ve accumulated a lot of chill, good chilling,” Vinson said. “Once we experience some of these warm temperatures for a week or two, the trees are going to be ready to break dormancy and enter the reproductive stage. If we get a late-season frost or freeze, then those varieties that have already broken bud are going to be more vulnerable to freezes.”
Average Last Frost Dates
The last frost dates in Alabama differ in the regions throughout the state. Last frosts in South Alabama occur earlier in the year, whereas frost events in North Alabama occur later in the spring.
According to the National Weather Service, the average last freeze for Huntsville, Alabama, is April 1, though the average last hard freeze is March 17. The average last freeze for Cullman, Alabama, is April 9, with the average last hard freeze is March 27. The average last freeze for Guntersville, Alabama, is March 25, though the average last hard freeze is March 9.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the average last spring frost for Mobile, Alabama, is March; while it is March 20 for Montgomery, Alabama. The average last spring frost for Birmingham, Alabama, is March 30.