Fruit and Vegetable Production Resources
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AP 130-3-10
2025 Fruits and Tree Nuts Outlook
1. Blueberries will continue to lead the Georgia fruits and tree nuts industry in 2025 and subsequent years despite the damage from Hurricane Helene, which is expected to reduce production and yields.
2. The Georgia pecan industry will take several years to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, and this natural shortage will keep prices strong.
3. Overall, consumer and grower price indexes will remain strong in 2025.|
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AP 130-3-11
2025 Vegetables and Pulses Outlook
1. The total harvested area of vegetables and pulses has been declining for the past 5 years, including a 25%–30% loss of Georgia’s fall vegetable crop because of Hurricane Helene, and the downward trend is expected to continue in 2025.
2. Total imports of vegetables and pulses were $20 billion in 2023, an increase of 7% compared to 2022. This increased import trend and value is expected to continue in 2025.
3. Although vegetable per capita consumption increased by 1.7% in 2023, the increase did not surpass the 405.4 lb consumed per capita in 2020. It is expected that 2025 will be much better.|
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Broccoli is grown throughout Georgia in both the fall and spring growing seasons. A locally significant wholesale industry developed in southwest Georgia, and acreage devoted to broccoli production has increased. The wholesale broccoli industry fills a market window in late fall, through winter, and into early spring. Plantings also occur in north Georgia, where lower winter temperatures limit late fall plantings but allow plantings later into the spring growing season. This publication addresses considerations of horticulture, entomology, and plant pathology for production of fresh market broccoli in Georgia.
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This report provides research and extension results for trials conducted by the University of Georgia Vegetable Team and its collaborators in 2024. Contributing authors include county and regional faculty as well as specialists from UGA’s horticulture, plant pathology, crop and soil sciences, and entomology departments. All research has been supported by the Georgia Commodity Commission for Vegetables.
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AP 132-01
2024 Georgia Corn Production Guide
This is the Extension Corn Team’s full production guide for recommended practices to plant and maintain a corn crop in Georgia. Topics include agronomic practices, growth and development, fertilization, irrigation, weed, insect and disease management, harvesting and drying, protecting stored corn, soil health, and economics/budgets.
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Various physiological disorders can affect the appearance and desirability of fresh market bell peppers; these often arise from environmental stresses and nutritional imbalances. Understanding these physiological issues is essential for growers to manage and mitigate them effectively. These disorders are common and are related to plant growth and development, not diseases. This circular shows these horticultural characteristics or traits that are expressed by certain genotypes.
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Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an important nutrient-dense leafy green, and its annual per capita consumption has significantly increased over the past decades. Spinach production in Georgia has experienced significant growth in the last few years, with over $400M in annual value, ranked first among all the other leafy green crops. Field spinach production is labor intensive, and the cost of weed management, harvest, and post-harvest accounts for 56% of the production cost. With the advantages of controlled environment agriculture in reducing labor costs and increasing production value with an extended growing cycle, hydroponic spinach has been gradually accepted and planted on a large scale.
Spinach is a cool season crop typically seeded during early spring or early fall. Summer season is often skipped because of pressure from insects, diseases, and weeds. Additionally, the optimal temperature for spinach seed germination is 65-70°F (18-21°C), and for spinach growth is 60-77°F (15-25°C). However, there is the possibility to grow spinach during summer in the greenhouse using a deep water culture hydroponics system that can minimize these pressures by focusing on heat-tolerant cultivar selection, germination improvement, and optimal hydroponic system implementation.
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In order for a commercial pecan operation to be consistently successful, the goal of the operation should be annual production of a moderate crop of high quality nuts, rather than the production of a high yield in a single given year. Culturally, there are several basic factors that will help to promote optimum profitability with a commercial pecan orchard.
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Citrus plants are very versatile around the home and may be used as individual specimens, hedges or container plants. Their natural beauty and ripe fruits make them attractive additions to the South Georgia home scene. Cold-hardy varieties that receive recommended care may grow successfully in the coastal and extreme southern areas of the state (and to a lesser degree in more northern locations).
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