By Clint Thompson Those peach lovers ready for a ripe, juicy peach won’t have to wait too much longer. Peach harvest season is just a few days away, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “If they’re not picking any by Friday, they’ll be picking some by Monday,” Cook …
UF/IFAS Scientists Help National Team Breed Better Pomegranates
By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu BALM, Fla. — You can enjoy pomegranates in myriad ways. You can toss them in salads, sprinkle their seeds on yogurt or oatmeal or add them to smoothies. When you consume pomegranates, you’ll savor their sweet and sour flavor. You may be drawn not only to their taste, but perhaps to their nutritional value. They contain …
Severe Drought in Alabama Having Little Impact on Produce
By Clint Thompson A severe drought in Mobile County, Alabama and Baldwin County, Alabama is not negatively influencing fruit and vegetable production, says Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist. “Most of the veggies down there are irrigated,” Kemble said. “I don’t know anyone that doesn’t irrigate, frankly, in that area.” Irrigation is important in that area right now. In the …
Nutsedge Management Key to Vegetable Production in South Carolina
By Clint Thompson Weed management in vegetables is critical for growers in South Carolina, says Matthew Cutulle, Clemson Extension vegetable weed specialist. Especially for sweet potato growers, yellow nutsedge is a problem in South Carolina fields. It will rob sweet potatoes of essential water and nutrients if growers don’t successfully manage it.. “What makes a weed so successful is that …
UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project: Progress and Plans
By Lourdes Rodriguez Just past the midpoint of a pilot project to study if industrial hemp grows well in Florida, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are already looking ahead to see what more they can learn. The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project team of scientists is engaged in a two-year research project started with hemp plantings in the spring of 2019. A report on the project’s findings will go …
Produce Industry Responds to Accusations
Several produce organizations, including the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and the Florida Tomato Exchange, issued a letter to legislative leaders in defense of accusations regarding the treatment of farm workers, amid COVID-19. The letter was sent to Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader; Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House; Charles Schumer, Senate Minority Leader; …
Clemson Extension, SCDA Schedule Two Remote Grower Trainings
Clemson Extension and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) have scheduled two Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings. They will be provided remotely for growers in May. They will be held over two days; May 19 and 20, and during May 27 and 28. The in-person training in Sumter on June 23 has been canceled. If these trainings are successful, …
How the Future of Florida Citrus is Being Crafted
Learn ways the Citrus Research and Field Trial program is making progress to formulate smart growing strategies in the face of HLB and other challenges.
Cabbage, Broccoli and Other Cole Crop Diseases
Clemson Cooperative Extension released some diseases that cole crop growers need to be on the look out for this spring. Cole crops, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, are easily grown in South Carolina. Tips for growing healthy cole crops in the garden are available in HGIC 1301, Broccoli, HGIC 1326, Cauliflower and HGIC 1303, Cabbage & Chinese …
UGA Research Aimed at Helping Hemp Varieties Adapt Better to Southeast
By Clint Thompson Georgia farmers can begin growing industrial hemp this year. Many Georgia growers are enthusiastic about the new opportunity. But most varieties have not been selected for Georgia’s climate. There is little information about which ones will do well. University of Georgia scientists are hoping their research will help hemp producers profit for many years to come. UGA …