Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Growers Look at Grafting to Fight Fusarium Wilt in Watermelon

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson One of the most devastating watermelon diseases in the Southeast can be overcome. But it comes with a high cost for growers. Fusarium wilt is an annual problem that North Florida and South Georgia watermelon producers must contend with every year. Some growers are resorting to grafted plants in hopes of overcoming the disease. Grafting is a …

Back to the Basics: UGA Pecan Beginners Class Scheduled for March 31

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The Georgia pecan industry is going back to the basics with the University of Georgia Pecan Beginners Class, held in conjunction with the Georgia Pecan Conference this year on March 31 in Perry, Georgia. University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells highlighted the topics scheduled to be covered in the class, which will be held at …

Wait and See: Early-Season Peach Varieties at Risk Following Recent Freeze

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Last week’s sub-freezing temperatures over multiple days impacted Georgia’s early peach varieties. To what extent remains to be seen, explains Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “What I saw initially, it’s going to be an impact on some early stuff. It really depends on where you …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Choanephora Rot Pest Alert

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Choanephora rot is a fungal disease that causes a soft, wet rot on plants. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and is recognized by a fuzzy, “hairy” or pinhead-like fungal growth on infected areas. Where Is It? Choanephora rot is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and parts of Africa. The disease was first documented in the …

Weed Control Tips for Grape Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Summer weed control begins now for grape producers, according to one North Georgia Extension agent. Nathan Eason, County Extension Coordinator and Agricultural and Natural Resources agent for White County, noted in the University of Georgia Viticulture Blog that if growers have not applied herbicides in their respective vineyards, it is definitely time to do so. “We’re warming …

Blossom Blight a Concern for Peach Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Weather conditions are starting to favor development for certain peach diseases that Southeast growers must be wary of. Blossom blight is especially concerning this time of year, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “We’re pretty much hitting on bloom or full bloom, and blossom blight, which is the brown rot phase …

Vidalia Onion Pack Date Set For April 13

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

VIDALIA, GA – The Georgia Agriculture Commissioner and the Vidalia Onion Committee officially announced the 2026 pack date this week. Vidalia onion enthusiasts nationwide can mark their calendars for April 13, when the sweet onions will start shipping to grocery stores, bringing a taste of Georgia’s unique agricultural heritage to kitchens everywhere. “I’m excited to announce, in coordination with the …

Time is Now: Pecan Producers Protect Against Ambrosia Beetles

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan producers must remember that this is the time of year for ambrosia beetles to become active in orchards. They are especially dangerous to young trees and those that are currently experiencing stress-like conditions. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor of entomology at the UGA Tifton Campus, discussed the insect’s impact. “We have seen …

UGA Peach Blog: San Jose Scale Management

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Horticultural oil applications are an effective way for peach producers to manage San Jose scale. But there are additional options that growers can implement if they do not achieve initial control. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, outlined those options in the UGA Peach Blog. He emphasized …

Drought Impact on Vidalia Onion Production

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia continues to observe prolonged drought conditions, according to the March 5 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The current conditions are especially challenging in Southeast Georgia where the state’s Vidalia onions are produced. Extreme drought conditions are observed in Toombs County, one of the central areas for Vidalia onion production. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) …