Farmers worry peaches could bloom early and be more susceptible to a late winter freeze

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.

Peaches growing on Jaemor Farms in Lula, Georgia have not bloomed yet, but are running two to three weeks ahead of schedule. Drew Echols is farm manager at Jaemor.

“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 10^th 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.”