Flooding can be problematic for Florida peach producers. It can cause permanent damage to peach trees and lead to tree death. Ali Sarkhost, a UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Horticultural Sciences, said floods will increase as climate change continues to challenge growers across the world. “If peach farmers experience flooding, the fruit size and quality can be adversely affected, and the tree …
Chill Effect: Cold Temperatures Impact North Alabama Crops
Cold temperatures provided a scare for vegetable and fruit producers in north Alabama last weekend. They were especially concerning for peach farmers, said Eric Schavey, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “We’re probably taking a little bit of a hit. But growers often leave more than they should at times. Maybe it’s just a little natural thinning, because we …
Chilly Forecast: Georgia Peach Producers Brace for Upcoming Temperature Drop
Georgia peach producers are eyeing the weather, as temperatures are expected to dip into the 30s later this week. It could impact this year’s crop. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, said Georgia’s peach crop is post bloom on most everything with fruit forming on most of the varieties. …
Alabama Extension to Host Weed Management Webinar for Fruit Growers
Alabama Extension will hold a virtual webinar on weed management in strawberry, peach and blueberry production systems on Tuesday, May 4 at 11 a.m. (EST). Alabama Extension specialist Steve Li will discuss weed management on blueberry, peach and strawberry farms. This meeting will be held via zoom. It is free but those interested must pre-register. Click here to pre-register: https://www.aces.edu/go/regionalfruitmeetings. …
Alabama Peaches Progressing Following Recent Freeze
Alabama peaches are progressing but there was some damage from a freeze in February, said Doug Chapman, Alabama Extension agent for Commercial Horticulture in North Alabama. “We’re in full bloom right now, maybe in central and south Alabama, a little post bloom. I doubt there’s any shucks split just yet in central Alabama,” Chapman said. “The freeze hurt us to …
Feeling Peachy: Florida Crop Nearing Harvest
Domestic options will soon be available for consumers yearning for that sweet, delicious peach. The first of Florida’s peach crop will be ready in late March, according to Jose Chaparro, UF/IFAS Associate Professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department. He said the peach trees have produced their strongest bloom in the last five years. It is due in large part to …
Chilling Out: Early Alabama Peach Varieties Look Good Following Freeze Event
Chilling hours is not a concern for Alabama peach producers for the upcoming season. Potential damage from freezing temperatures is, however, something that may impact this year’s crop, according to Elina Coneva, Extension specialist in the Horticulture Department at Auburn University. “Feb. 15 was an important day for all fruit growers in the state. There were two things that were …
Frozen: Peach Producers Have Limited Options Against Late Freeze
Some things are inevitable every year for Southeast peach producers. That late-season frost event that could damage peach production for the upcoming season unfortunately tops the list. Even though chill hours are no longer a concern, peach farmers are worried that if temperatures warm up in the next several weeks their crop would be vulnerable to a late freeze. “Unfortunately, …
Freeze Effect: Peach Producers Wary of Late-Season Frost
Chill hours are no longer a concern for peach growers in Alabama and Georgia. So, what is their biggest worry heading into the spring? “March 28, the full moon in March. We always tend to have some cold in that full moon in March. But with it being later, maybe we’ll be out of the woods and in the clear. …
Chill Out: Alabama Peaches Looking Good Amid Cold Winter
Chill hours are no longer a concern for one Alabama peach farmer. The biggest worry that Jeremy Calvert has is that his trees will bloom early and be impacted by a late freeze. “We get a week of 60, 70-degree weather and then go back down in the 20s, that’s just not what you want to see,” said Calvert, whose …