By Clint Thompson
Alabama peach producers appear to be in good shape with respect to chill hour accumulation this winter. That is according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University.
Vinson discussed peaches with AgNet Media at last weekend’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
“Currently in Chilton County, we have about 864 chill hours. We like to get about 800 to 850 to cover most varieties,” Vinson said. “I feel pretty confident that we’ve got what we call our minimum number of chill hours with peaches that’s going to cover all the varieties that we grow.
“We’ll probably see some slowing down when it comes to chill hour accumulation. We may get a few extra (hours), maybe, but we’re probably where we’re going to be.”
That’s about all the chill hours Alabama producers are expected to receive this season, as warmer temperatures are expected all this week throughout the Southeast region. Tracking for chill hours is generally recorded from Oct. 1 to Feb. 15.
“We had a good number (of chill hours) towards the end of December. We have gotten quite a few hours more recently,” Vinson said.