Chilton County peach farmers said they need more cold weather for a better crop this year.
Mike Burnette opened a produce store in Pelham last April. He has been successful selling produce, but he has concerns about the peach crop on his farm in Chilton County.
"This year was worse than last year. There was a lot of folks out of peaches in June. They had none in July or August period," Burnette said.
Burnette says his peaches need between 800 and 1,200 hours of cold weather below 45 degrees. The cold weather makes the peach trees dormant. "The tree needs rest, it’s like you go home and get eight hours of sleep and you are okay for the day. You get four hours sleep, you are not in full production the next day. Fruit trees work the same way," Burnette said.
Burnette said there are chemicals to trick the trees into dormancy, but they want the cold weather to come and last for at least six weeks. If not, it's trouble.
"If they don’t get enough chill hours and rest, the fruits are smaller in size and slower coming out," Burnette said.
Burnette and other peach farmers are hoping for the cold weather and it lasts for some time. If not, they will tell you to go out and buy peaches early before the price goes up and they run out.
Source: wbrc.com
