Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor showed minimal drought conditions throughout the Southeast, especially in Georgia and Alabama. Georgia has sufficient moisture with no dry conditions. Alabama’s abnormally dry conditions were restricted to the northwest part of the state including Lauderdale, Colbert, Limestone, Madison, Franklin, Lawrence and Winston counties. Florida’s abnormally dry conditions are isolated to the southeastern part …
Rains Spark Disease Fears for Pumpkin Growers in Northeast Alabama
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains in Northeast Alabama have sparked concerns about potential disease pressure among the region’s specialty crop producers, especially those pumpkin farmers. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, discussed the impact that potential diseases could have on his area’s pumpkin crop. “That’s one thing we do start to worry about when we start getting rain …
Increased Rainfall Problematic for South Georgia’s Fall Crops
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers prefer dry conditions so they can be the ones applying water and not worry about disease pressure. They are not getting their wish with their fall crops, however. Increased rainfall across southern Georgia in recent weeks has led to intense disease pressure on fall vegetable crops. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable …
Drought Turns into Rainy Season Across SE
By Clint Thompson Dry weather conditions that were prevalent across the Southeast (SE) this summer have dissipated. Only areas in Northwest Alabama and Southeast Florida are abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, discusses the change in weather patterns that specialty crop producers have observed in recent weeks. “Every summer after …
Quiet Tropical Season: Calm Before the Storm?
By Clint Thompson A quiet tropical storm season so far is abnormal for this time of year. But it also could serve as the calm before the proverbial storm. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, discusses the rarity this calm tropical season has been so far. “It’s definitely unusual. It has happened once or twice before. It’s rare …
Wetter Weather in Central Alabama
By Clint Thompson Rainy weather in recent weeks has impacted specialty crop production in central Alabama. David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama, discussed the state of certain crops amid wetter weather. “Peaches are winding up. There’s a couple of varieties that are still hanging on. We’ve still got a few growers that are bringing some out of the …
Increased Rainfall Projected This Week for SE
Increased rainfall is expected this week throughout the Southeast (SE), according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Climate Blog. Most areas in the region should receive at least an inch of rain, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. Southwest Alabama could see additional rainfall from the remains of Potential Tropical Cycle 4. Areas along the East …
Dry Conditions Remain Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Rainfall has helped alleviate some of the dry weather being felt in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, though abnormally dry conditions remain in multiple counties, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s dry conditions are now spread in various counties throughout the state. The driest part of the state remains in Southeast Georgia where multiple counties are abnormally …
Peach Season Concludes in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Another peach season is in the books for most Georgia producers. After the late-season freeze event on March 13, growers were fortunate just to have a crop this year. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed how fortunate farmers were to have peaches at all when …
North Alabama: Rain Needed for Fall Plantings of Strawberries
By Clint Thompson The current drought impacting northern Alabama could impact fall plantings of strawberries if the dry weather lingers much longer. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, discusses the importance that rainfall could bring over the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it’s not an unfamiliar scenario for producers. “We’re getting ready for our fall planting of strawberries. …