By Clint Thompson Specialty crop growers prefer the current dry weather conditions when producing their crops. They want to apply the water needed which helps avert the buildup of disease pressure. It is especially true during the fall season says South Georgia vegetable farmer Sam Watson. “I grow vegetables, so I’m okay with the dry weather. We get to put …
Dry Weather Delaying Strawberry Plantings in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson The current dry weather is delaying strawberry plantings in North Alabama, says Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. A lack of rain this fall means growers don’t have adequate moisture to keep their beds properly shaped. Producers are more than a week behind in getting their plants in the ground as a result. “It’s slowing …
Vidalia Onion Plants Progressing Amid Dry Weather
By Clint Thompson The current dry spell is having a minimal impact on the growth of this season’s Vidalia onion crop. All seedbeds are grown under irrigation pivots, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent. “All our seedbeds are under irrigation so we can give them the water they need. There is something about rainwater when …
Dry Weather Leads to Improved Grape Season
By Clint Thompson There is still a month left of harvest for some grape varieties in the Southeast, but the crop has already shown better results than last year. The better yields are attributed to the dry weather experienced this summer, said University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen. “I think, overall, it’s a lot better this …
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 …
Hot and Dry Weather: Spider Mites Thriving
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry weather conditions in the Southeast this summer are ideal for spider mites. Unfortunately, they have appeared in multiple crops, according to University of Georgia (UGA) Extension specialists. “The dry weather and heat is bad for (San Jose) scale but it is fantastic for mites. I’ve seen more mites in peaches than I probably have …
Weather Conditions ‘Not Ideal’ for Alabama Hemp
By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp production wilted under the stress of prolonged dry conditions combined with extremely high temperatures. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, said the “timing wasn’t ideal.” Plants were being put into the ground right as weather conditions worsened across the region. “There’s been quite a bit of plant mortality, transplant shock, that sort …
Keeping Pecans Watered During Dry Weather
Temperatures may be high and dry conditions may be widespread across the Southeast, but pecan growers should not panic and apply too much water, according to the University of Georgia Extension pecan blog. Because pecan trees can adapt in extreme weather conditions, growers can continue on the normal recommended irrigation schedule and nuts will continue to size properly, says Lenny …
UGA Extension Climatologist Provides Weather Outlook
By Clint Thompson A hot month of May is expected to stay that way as the weather outlook calendar turns to June. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, provided a weather outlook for what temperatures should feel like over the next week. “The (upcoming) forecast continues to show us in above normal temperatures across all of the …
Prolonged Drought: Dry Weather Expanding Across Southeast
The prolonged drought that persists across the Southeast is intensifying and expanding in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Florida’s dry conditions remain in the southern part of the state. Most of the prolonged drought conditions are now moderately dry with some severely dry conditions in Glades and Palm Beach counties. …