Peaches already blooming in SC, worrying farmers

AIKEN, S.C. (AP) — The warm winter already has some peach trees blooming, and that has farmers worried.

Cold Creek Nurseries Manager Alan Maclay told The Aiken Standard (http://bit.ly/yakbhf ) that a hard freeze is devastating after peach trees begin to bloom.

Some farmers are already reporting blooms on trees, which is very unusual for early February. Cold weather can help peaches, but freezes are devastating after the buds on the tress have opened.

A late freeze in April 2007 ruined the peach crop in most of Aiken County.

___

Information from: Aiken Standard, http://www.aikenstandard.com