A massive snowstorm hit Virginia in January, and April didn't bring its usual warmer weather and spring showers, rather frost and freezing temperatures - a most unwelcome development for farmers in Nelson County.
According to Michael Lachance, the county’s Virginia Cooperative Extension agent of agriculture and natural resources, the freeze left damage in both peaches and apples, as well as some other fruits.
“We know that we have a significant reduction in crop,” he said.
Jim Saunders, of Saunders Brothers Farm in Piney River, said in addition to a loss of some of the early peaches, they also have seen damage in certain varieties of cooking apples and Asian pears as well as in cherries.
“Frankly, we feel pretty fortunate to have some peaches and to have the apples that we have,” Saunders said.
However, despite some loss of fruit, Saunders said many peaches were saved with the help of a wind machine.
Saunders said he saw a “marked difference” in the peaches located within the six to 10 acres of the orchard affected by the machine.
“The slightest rise in temperature on the orchard floor will save the peaches,” he said. “[The machine] made a huge difference.”
Though the full extent of the damage from the freeze has yet to be seen, Lachance still has high hopes for this year’s crop. By comparison, Nelson farmers likely will have more fruits than farmers in northern states like New York, New Jersey and Michigan, he said.
“Really the [question] now is within the next couple of weeks, which blossoms have fallen and which remain for the upcoming year,” Lachance said.
Source - freshplaza.com
