Little Frost Damage to South Carolina Peaches

Little Frost Damage to South Carolina Peaches

Peach trees at Clemson University’s Musser Fruit Research Center in Seneca, SC, survived the recent freeze. (Photo: Clemson Public Service and Agriculture)

The Clemson Peach Team and Cooperative Extension Service agents met this week to discuss the impact a recent freeze may have had on the state’s peaches. The Peach Team and Cooperative Extension Service agents met with growers during the 2019 Ridge Peach Producers meeting to provide growers with the latest, research-based information. Topics ranged from disorders to diseases and from pests to budget issues.

A cold front came through the state in early March, bringing with it lows in the 20s.

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“Based on what we’re seeing, there has been minimal damage in the Upstate and McBee area,” said Juan Carlos Melgar, a Clemson pomologist. “We saw only spotted damage on the Ridge, mostly on early varieties. For other varieties, it has been more of a light thinning. A mature tree can have a full crop even with 10% of all the flowers at bloom. So, we’re still optimistic, although, at the same time, cautious as we are not still free from freeze risks.”

Topics on the 2019 Ridge Peach Producers meeting also included disorders, diseases, pests, and budget issues.

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