Alabama Rains Have Vegetable Growers Concerned About Disease Development

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Consistent rains in May and early June have Alabama vegetable growers concerned about disease development in this year’s crops. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, noted in an Alabama Extension blog that certain diseases like early blight on tomatoes, bacterial spot on tomatoes and peppers …

Sweet Grown Alabama Brings Local Flavor with Pop-Up Farmers Market

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Montgomery, Ala. – Sweet Grown Alabama brought fresh, local flavor to Montgomery with a special pop-up farmers market on Wednesday, held in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ 22nd Annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch at the Ed Teague Arena. This marks the fifth consecutive year a farmers market has been a part of the beloved summer tradition. The pop-up …

Beware of Scab: Rains Mean Increased Risk of Disease in Pecans

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall in the Southeast means added moisture for the region’s pecan trees. It also means increased risk of scab disease, especially in trees that are more susceptible than others. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discussed the dangers of consistent rainfall. “If (the rains) come in the afternoon and the trees stay wet …

rainfall

Water Needs Critical for Region’s Citrus Trees

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Timing is critical for water needs for next season’s citrus crops across the Southeast. Much of the groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are receiving their share of rainfall. But others are not. It is why producers need to remain diligent in applying water to their trees, says Mary …

Beware Alabama Growers: Black Knot Disease in Plums

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Alabama Extension is reminding its plum growers about the potential dangers of black knot disease, a fungal infection caused by Apiosporina morbosa. David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama, noted in an article on the Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook page, that the disease primarily impacts plums, though it has the potential to infect other prunus species like cherry …

Alabama Hemp Production Continues to Decline

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The number of hemp growers continues to decline across Alabama and the country. It coincides with market prices not being what they once were, according to Zachary Barnes, with the Alabama Department of Ag and Industries hemp program. “From 2020 until now, what they were fetching for a kilogram of crude CBD oil, I’ve heard numbers were …

Alabama Extension Agent Discusses Region’s Strawberry Production

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Like most years, weather played a significant impact on Alabama’s strawberry production – for better and for worse – especially in the central part of the state where David Lawrence serves as regional Extension agent. He said a cold snap slowed production around the middle to the end of April. Saturated conditions in May led to berries …

Spreading the Message: Sweet Grown Alabama Hosts Annual Farm to Table Dinner

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Sweet Grown Alabama hosted its annual farm to table dinner on Thursday, June 5 at Dalrymple Farms in Coffee County. The event provided attendees with another opportunity to sample locally grown goods, consisting of locally raised beef, fresh vegetables and honey. “Sweet Grown Alabama was honored to host our fifth annual farm to table dinner down in …

Saturated Alabama Impacting Fruit, Vegetable Production

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama has sufficient moisture. According to the June 5 edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor, there are no dry conditions being observed throughout the state. Conditions are especially saturated in central Alabama, says David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama. “All the ponds are full right now. It is wet. About every three or four days …

Vegetable Crop Handbook Available

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Alabama Extension reminds its specialty crop producers that the 2025 Southeast U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook is now available. This important resource is a joint effort among Extension specialists and researchers from land-grant universities and other institutions across the Southeast who specialize in vegetable production. The specialists and researchers represent various disciplines. These include agricultural engineering, entomology, vegetable production, plant pathology, …