Crop issues with recent rains and what’s next? (May 21, 2013)

In this issue: 1. Introduction – roller coaster season continues! 2. Several Growers Report this Morning (5/21) on Damage from Rains 3. Crop insurance? 4. Evaluating rainfall amounts for different areas 5. Steps to MORE »Posted: Yesterday

How should growers manage spotted wing drosophila in rainy conditions?

The last two days have been particularly rainy in the southeast, and if the forecast is right, our rainy weather will continue all week.  Rainy conditions complicate already challenging spotted wing drosophila (SWD) management because MORE »Posted: 5/20/13

Expecting more rains today and Monday, but cooler Tuesday (produced 8 AM Sun. May 19, 2013)

Figure 1.  Photo of Chandler “flush” of berries taken yesterday by a KY grower.  The real trick with Chandler plugs (that have a strong tendency to concerntrate the crop) is to “get over” fields MORE »Posted: 5/19/13

Expect very warm temps on Tuesday (produced Sat May 18, 2013)

Good evening, I have been in touch with a number of growers over the last few days, and business has been “brisk” and had it not rained this afternoon (Sat), a number of growers MORE »Posted: 5/18/13

Surprisingly high blossom temps at 11 am! (Friday May 17 at 11:40 am)

Figure 1.  This morning I was at the strawberry patch of Mark and Pam Waller in Durham and had my handheld digital thermometer with me for our visit with UNC-TV, and at 11 am MORE »Posted: 5/17/13

Warm Temps Today and Tomorrow (8 am, May 15, 2013)

Figs. 1a and 1b.  The upper figure is the CURRENT forecast for today’s maximum temperatures, and the lower figure was the forecast from yesterday for today, and you can see some definite changes!  There MORE »Posted: 5/15/13

Great temperatures (low 50s – low 70s) and fruit quality today…but, rapid run-up in temps tomorrow (noon, Tue. May 14)

Hello again! Please find below a terrific photograph that was sent me at 7 am this morning of some outstanding quality berries (Camarosa) in the Rudd farm retail market in Greensboro yesterday (Fig. 1).  MORE »Posted: 5/14/13

How crazy is this year? Frost Protect Tuesday Morning in WNC and Then Worry About High Temps (3:45 pm, Mon. May 13, 2013)

Figure 1. Minimum temps for Tuesday morning – produced this morning (May 13).  There is risk of frost in areas of the mountains like Asheville early tomorrow morning: asheville 5 am frost tue.  Row MORE »Posted: 5/13/13