Atlanta
(2012-02-08)
Listen Now:
ATLANTA, GA
(WABE) -
Agricultural experts say warm temperatures this winter could cause some varieties of peaches to bloom several weeks early. Some North Georgia farmers fear that could lead to increased risk for this year's crop.
null
Peaches growing on Jaemore Farms in Lula, Georgia have not bloomed yet, but are running two to three weeks ahead of schedule. Drew Echols is farm manager.
"It looks like we're moving a little bit faster than normal. I would suspect that if we keep warm temperatures on through the month of February we'll see them in full bloom by March 10th and that's pretty early for us."
Echols says if peaches bloom that early it could be problematic, because there's a greater chance they could be killed by a late winter freeze.
"If they bloom normally through the end of March there's only a week or ten day period right there where you run the risk of getting a late frost, so if they bloom early this year we're going to be worried for five weeks."
Echols says if there's no late winter freeze, he expects this year's peach crop to be decent. © Copyright 2012, WABE
