How are Alabama’s peaches doing after last night’s freeze? We asked the experts

We just showed you some truly stunning pictures of Alabama’s peach trees last week. And now, a cold snap on the first day of spring could put this year’s crop in danger. We talked to the experts about just how dangerous it is for this year’s fruit.

Some background

In gardening, you live in a ‘Zone’ based on your general climate. These zones are largely based on your predicted freeze dates for the year.

For example—Mobile is in Zone 9a and our freeze dates go from 11/8 to 3/21. Meaning that, from November 8 until March 21st each year, there’s a chance that temperatures could drop below freezing. Since Mobile is in the warmest Zone of Alabama, with the shortest freeze window, there’s a chance that last night’s weather could have spared our peaches.

‘I think we’re okay’

Chilton County grows the majority of the peaches in Alabama. So I called up there this morning to see how the peaches were doing.

From everybody I talked to this morning, I think we’re okay.

David Lawrence, Regional Extension Agent in Chilton Co.

Lawrence explained that peaches don’t do well under 28 degrees—and luckily, last night Chilton Co. stayed just under freezing, right around 30 degrees. The wind also helped, keeping frost from settling on the blooms.

If anything, Lawrence thinks the freezing temperatures might’ve saved farmers a little bit of work:

“There’s a lot of blooms out there right now, more than what these trees can even handle. So some loss, even up to 50% loss, wouldn’t be a terrible thing. Might even save us some hand labor from thinning out peaches.”

David Lawrence, Regional Extension Agent in Chilton Co.

What about other crops?

Alabama farmers have more than just peaches in the ground this time of year. Strawberries & blueberries are also popular, especially in South Alabama. Strawberries are usually pretty frost-proof, especially since they can be covered by special blankets that keep them 5-10 degrees warmer than the air outside. Lawrence says farmers will likely keep the strawberries covered again tonight, but they should be fine to keep uncovered after that.

As for the blueberries…

“[Blueberries] are very similar to peaches as far as the stage of development they’re in…A lot of them are in bloom or small fruit beginning to develop. Usually they fall in line with the peach crop.”

David Lawrence, Regional Extension Agent in Chilton Co.

They’ll likely be fine, too. Since blueberry bushes keep pace with peaches and have a similar tolerance to cold, it looks like if the peaches are fine, the blueberries will be, too.

Looking to start your spring garden? These stories might help:

• Gardening Made Easy— your guide to Spring Plant Sales + more In Lower Alabama
• Easy tips to help you start your garden in South Alabama
• Looking for a Summer hobby? Try becoming a Master Gardener

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