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Georgia Peach Crop to Feel Impact of Weekend Temperatures

Web AdminGeorgia, Peaches, Weather

By Clint Thompson Potential sub-freezing temperatures this weekend could impact Georgia’s peach crop, which is already blooming, and in some orchards, peaches are already on trees. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed the impact that the forecasted temperatures will have on the state’s peach crop. “We’ve got a …

Time for Peach Producers to Treat for Scale Insects

Web AdminPeaches, Pests

Warmer temperatures make for a bearable winter in Georgia. But scale insects enjoy them, too. That is a problem for the state’s peach producers. Now is a good time for growers to make appropriate chemical applications, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peach blog. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, advises …

Chill Accumulation Update for Georgia Peaches

Web AdminGeorgia, Peaches, Weather

The number of chilling hours for Georgia peaches are just below last year but above marks recorded in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peach blog. The number of hours are classified in two different models; the Weinberger model (number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F)); and the modified Weinberger model (number of hours …

How to Protect Young Peaches from Plum Curculio

Web AdminGeorgia, Peaches, Pests

The onset of spring means preparing for insect pests if you are a fruit tree producer. Plum curculio is the most destructive insect that attacks early-season fruit. “If you have fruiting trees, especially peaches, now is the time to ramp up your monitoring efforts for plum curculio to determine if and when management decisions will need to be made,” urged …

Freeze Impact on Florida Peaches

Web AdminFlorida, Peaches, Weather

By Clint Thompson Count Florida’s peaches among those crops impacted by the sub-freezing temperatures almost two weeks ago. The difference in the producers who protected their crop and those who did not was unmistakable, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “I can tell you that anybody north of central …

Peach Rootstock Research at the University of Georgia

Web AdminGeorgia, Peaches, Research

By Dario J. Chavez, Jeff Cook and Tom G. Beckman Rootstocks are important for fruit production as they provide required protection for soil pests and pathogens. The most predominant peach rootstocks in the Southeastern United States are Guardian (Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina) and Flordaguard (Florida). Guardian (BY520-9) was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA …

Chilling Out: Alabama Fruit Tree Producers Enjoying Cold January

Web AdminPeaches, Stone Fruit, Weather

By Clint Thompson Alabama’s fruit tree producers have enjoyed the cold temperatures in January. They have provided much-needed chilling hours that the trees need to mature. That’s according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. He pointed out during Monday’s Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook webinar how much ground was …

Georgia Peach Producer: We’re Racking Up Chill Hours

Web AdminGeorgia, Peaches, Weather

By Clint Thompson Cold January temperatures have brought increased chilling hours for Georgia’s peach crop. Growers like Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms and president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, are elated about the recent cooler temperatures being felt throughout the state. “All the peach growers, we’re pretty excited. Chill hours, that’s been the question mark for …

Weed Control in Peach Orchards

Web AdminNorth Carolina, Peaches, Research

By Clint Thompson Weed control in peach orchards is an important management tactic. This is important for young and older orchards, says Wayne Mitchem, N.C. State Extension Associate and Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium Coordinator. “The idea is to try to minimize competition so we can maximize that tree growth in those formative years of the orchard so we can …

San Jose Scale Management: Horticultural Oil Applications Key for Peach Producers

Web AdminDisease, Georgia, Peaches

By Clint Thompson Horticultural oil applications are essential this winter for peach producers hoping to manage San Jose scale insects. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, says the warm winter conditions across Southeast aid the scale’s development. Growers can ill-afford to miss an application. “Getting ready for their dormant applications …