Fruit growers are watching the weather warily, as unseasonably warm February temperatures could coax peach trees and blueberry bushes into early blossom – and a late-winter freeze could jeopardize this year's crop.
Temperatures below 32 degrees could destroy the peach and blueberry buds that produce the fruit important to many Georgia farmers and bring in millions of dollars, said state climatologist David Stooksbury.
"We're not talking about, you know, a minimal impact to Middle Georgia," Stooksbury said.
Fruit trees and other plants need to experience a certain number of chill hours before they're ready to bloom.
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