The peach trees at Jaemor Farms off Georgia 365 in East Hall County are almost fully in bloom - right at 90-percent, according to owner Drew Echols. That could be a problem if sub-freezing temperatures arrive as predicted later this week.
"It's real pretty right now, that's for sure," Echols told WDUN's Morning Talk on Monday. "Unfortunately, it's at its most fragile time...over the next couple of weeks."
While warmer-than-normal winter temperatures forced the early blooming of the peach trees, a late winter freeze this week could damage the crop. Echols said they can't control the weather, of course, but they continue to hope and pray for the best.
"We know they [the peach trees] will take a little bit colder weather when they have the petals on them...and none of the flowers have lost their petals yet, so that's a good thing," Echols said. "When it's cloudy, that serves as insulation. It's amazing how fast ground heat will escape on a clear night.
Echols said wind can also keep the extreme cold at bay, although a chilly wind can also do more damage.
"It's just going to be interesting to see how it sets up. The jet stream has been well north of us for several months now and it's finally decided here late winter/early spring to dip down into the Southeast."
Echols pointed out he's talked to other farmers, and they are concerned about the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as well.
"Farmers in South Carolina are really sweatin' it. Vegetable farmers in Middle Georgia and South Georgia are kind of sweatin' this. Those small vegetable plants aren't going to take 32-degrees," Echols said.
He said the difficulty with widespread loss is that it typically lasts more than just a season. That's because the consumer gets used to not having those products on local market shelves. They substitute with other goods, not thinking the crop may be better the year after a loss.
"Just encourage your listeners to be praying for the farmers," Echols said. "We all gotta eat, you know."
Follow this link to find out more about the National Weather Service cold weather prediction for the coming week.
