TONTITOWN — A northwest Arkansas farmer is concerned that the state’s mild winter may threaten the local peach and plum crops.
Tontitown farmer and University of Arkansas horticulture researcher David Dickey told KHOG-TV that 2011 was the worst year he’s ever had as a fruit and vegetable grower. Last year was too cold, and this year has been too warm.
His plum trees are close to blooming, and he says a peach grower told him two or three weeks ago he thought his peaches would bloom if it didn’t cool down.
The crops could be harmed if there is a late freeze. And even if there isn’t, Dickey says there may not be enough pollinators to fertilize the proper number of blossoms.