By Clint Thompson Cold temperatures last week had an adverse effect on recently-planted watermelon plants in North Florida’s Suwanee Valley Region. Growers are determining how to best help their young plants recover. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided advice for producers who are making chemical …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: MAHA, on the Other Hand
By Frank Giles Last month’s cover story featured the potential benefits the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement could have for specialty crop growers. The recommendation to eat “real food,” which includes fruits and vegetables, could improve sales for farmers while benefiting Americans’ health. There’s a lot that is good about MAHA, because it has focused the conversation on how …
CRAFT Discussed at Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show provided an opportunity for Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation (CRAFT) Executive Director Steven Hall to share the organization’s accomplishments and future plans. Hall moderated a panel discussion and spoke about the organization’s work. “Thanks to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Senate President Ben Albritton, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, we’ve been able to …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Choanephora Rot Pest Alert
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
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
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
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 …
Strawberry Update: Sclerotinia Present in North Alabama Crop
By Clint Thompson North Alabama’s strawberry season continues to progress. Growers should be aware that one disease is noticeably present, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “We’re seeing a little sclerotinia. That’s soilborne and you rotate away from that. It was actually in some new ground. You treat it like you do gray mold, botrytis or …
Time is Now: Pecan Producers Protect Against Ambrosia Beetles
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
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 …



















