North Carolina State Extension cautions strawberry growers in the Southeast about sub-freezing temperatures this weekend that will impact the state’s crop.
“While plants in the mid-Atlantic are still under covers and the crop in western North Carolina is not as advanced, especially growers in Georgia, South Carolina and eastern North Carolina will have to watch out to protect possible blooms and flower buds,” said Mark Hoffmann. “Growers in the Piedmont or western North Carolina might have a less advanced crop. Your goal is to protect plants from possible damage to tight flower buds or crown damage.”
Temperatures will drop significantly from Friday to Saturday and then again from Saturday to Sunday. According to weather.com, temperatures are expected to drop to 22 degrees Fahrenheit (F) Saturday night in Raleigh, North Carolina where Hoffmann is stationed.
Potential rain leading up to the cold weekend could compromise the row covers growers use to protect their crop from the cold. Wet row covers might be affected by the temperatures and subsequent wind, causing potential damage to flowers. It could behoove growers to wait until later Saturday to implement row covers once the rain events have stopped.
“In areas further south, especially in Georgia and in South Carolina, with an advanced crop and open blossoms on plants, protection will be critical in order to save those flowers, especially from Saturday to Sunday,” Hoffmann said. “Not protecting will most likely affect the first week of harvest.”
Growers need to spray fungicides to protect against diseases botrytis and anthracnose beforehand, if they apply row covers for multiple nights.
Plant protection is recommended if temperatures drop below 32 F.