By Clint Thompson Alabama’s peach crop is off to a promising start with its chilling hour requirement. But that’s not expected to continue, however, according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “I think we’re off to a pretty good start. We currently have about 258 chill hours. We typically …
Chilly Impact: Cold Temperatures Impact Alabama Vegetable Crops
By Clint Thompson Last week’s brief cold snap is likely to have a lasting impact on Alabama’s vegetable crops. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, expected farmers to start seeing cold damage this week, especially on warm-season vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. “I think there was enough hours below optimal temperatures for a lot of crops that you’re going to …
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. …
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 …
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 …
Chilling Stat: Peaches Looking Good for Chill Hour Accumulation
Chill hours remain an integral part of a peach producer’s hope for a successful year. If the current numbers are any indication, Alabama growers could be in line for a productive season. During a webinar last week, Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, said there was 737 chill hours or …
Chilly December Aiding Southeast Fruit Farmers
A chilly December should have alleviated some concerns of Southeast fruit farmers worried about chill hours in a La Nina winter, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “If you look at the plot of chill hours over this year, November was quite warm. I think they were running way below normal in the number of chill …
Hydrogen Cyanamide for Low-Chill Peaches in Florida
By Tripti Vashisth and Mercy Olmstead Interest in Florida peach production remains steady, with approximately 2,000 acres in the state. Florida peach growers have a number of advantages: 1) Early flowering and fruit set result in the ability to harvest fruit earlier in the domestic market window, yielding higher economic returns. 2) Recent surveys show that consumers prefer local produce, …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Tracking Progress of Region’s Fruits, Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Sweet Corn Picks Up After Slow Start Florida sweet corn volume was expected to ramp up during the first couple of weeks in April. The increased production was needed for growers who experienced a sluggish start to the season, mostly due to excessive rainfall. The record rainfall kept growers from being able to access the field for …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Southeast Producers Convene for Annual Conference
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference drew a large attendance in early January. The annual gathering provides a plethora of educational breakout sessions focused on key fruit and vegetable crops. Here’s a few highlights from those sessions. Peach Presentations Fungicide preservation is the key for Southeast peach producers in managing brown rot disease long term. Demethylation …