North Carolina State Extension cautions strawberry growers in the Southeast about sub-freezing temperatures this weekend that will impact the state’s crop. “While plants in the mid-Atlantic are still under covers and the crop in western North Carolina is not as advanced, especially growers in Georgia, South Carolina and eastern North Carolina will have to watch out to protect possible blooms …
Drought Persists Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Drought conditions are worsening across the Southeast region. Even with much-needed rainfall this week, most of Florida and the southern parts of Alabama and Georgia are either abnormally dry or moderately dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The majority of the Florida Panhandle is in a moderate drought. Those conditions stretch eastward to Putnam and Marion …
Freeze Effect: Rain This Week Should Help with Cold Weekend
Watermelon plants are in the ground in North Florida. Producers must now guard against potential sub-freezing temperatures that are in the forecast for the upcoming weekend. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said forecasts are predicting temperatures in the low-to-mid 30s Fahrenheit. “Rain ahead of the …
Georgia Peach Crop to Feel Impact of Weekend Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Potential sub-freezing temperatures this weekend could impact Georgia’s peach crop, which is already blooming, and in some orchards, peaches are already on trees. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed the impact that the forecasted temperatures will have on the state’s peach crop. “We’ve got a …
Early Start for North Florida Watermelon Planting
By Clint Thompson Ideal weather conditions meant an early start to watermelon planting for Florida producers in the Suwanee Valley area. Hopefully, it will translate to early harvests that meet the Memorial Day window. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the impact, which included some …
Dry Conditions Worsen in Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson The abnormally dry conditions are sweltering across much of the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Florida is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The conditions are worse in the north-central part of Florida, in Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton counties and extending southward to Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In Georgia, …
La Niña Effect: February Ends Warmer, Drier
February ended warmer than usual for most of the Southeast region, according to the University of Georgia Extension Climate and Agriculture blog. This was typical of a La Niña winter. Other than Alabama and areas near mountains, the region was also drier than normal. “The warm and dry conditions this year are contributing to the expansion of dry conditions and …
‘Unknown’ Future for Florida Tomato Industry Following Freeze
By Clint Thompson The Jan. 30 freeze event that impacted numerous specialty crops across Florida has created an ‘unknown’ outlook for the tomato industry. Josh Freeman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in horticultural science, discusses what the damage sustained by tomatoes in the southern part of the state means for production in north …
Late Plantings This Year Helps Potato Producers
By Clint Thompson A planting delay for some Florida potato producers this year might have saved some from a damaged crop due to the Jan. 30 freeze event. Lincoln Zotarelli, associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), confirmed delays due to seed arriving late amid the current supply chain shortage. Seed that would …
Minor Damage Reported on Florida Blueberry Crop Following Freeze
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry crop appears to have dodged the proverbial bullet that was the Jan. 30 freeze event. That’s the outlook shared by Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, following weeks of conversing with farmers. “Of all the growers I’ve talked to across the state, almost all of them, …