By Clint Thompson
Strawberry plantings have concluded across Georgia. With much of the state still observing some level of drought-like conditions, growers could use the rainfall they are expected to receive this week. That’s according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) agent for Peach and Taylor counties.
“It’d be nice to get some rain on this stuff because it’s dry. Even though they irrigate in those raised beds, I mean it still can get really dry,” Cook said. “Everybody likes to plant plugs and those plugs can get real dry. I would love to see some rain to help settle the dirt around them and help wet the beds.”
According to weather.com, there was a 75% chance of rain on Wednesday in Byron, Georgia.
Cook said growers used to implement overhead irrigation, but that changed when producers transitioned to plug plants. They stopped putting in overhead irrigation.
“I really wish everybody would put overhead back in for times like this right now,” Cook said. “We’ve gone three or four weeks without substantial rain in some places, so it’s gotten dry.”
Most of the counties in central and northern Georgia are observing abnormally dry conditions.
One of the driest parts in Georgia extends from Dooly, Pulaski and Bleckley counties in the central part of the state, northeastward to Franklin, Hart, Elbert and Lincoln counties. That stretch of counties is observing either moderate drought or severe drought.
Another one of the driest parts starts in the northwest corner in Floyd, Chattooga and Walker counties, extending eastward to Hall, White and Towns counties. Most of those counties are observing moderate drought.
This is according to the Oct. 29 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.