Temperatures dipping into the teens over much of north Georgia were mostly a good thing for crops, according to Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin .
"We need a cold snap to kill off a lot of insects," Mr. Irvin said.
Jimmy Echols, who owns Jaemor Farm near Lula in Banks County, said the freeze had no effect on his peach trees, and that a peach crop requires about 1,000 chilling hours - temperatures at 40 degrees or below.
"It don't have to be this cold, though," he said, noting that growers in south Georgia sometimes have more trouble getting the required chilling hours .
- Associated Press
KEEP OTHERS WARM
Packed with people trying to escape the cold, area homeless shelters are in need of public support.
SALVATION ARMY: Donations of coats, blankets and other cold-weather items may be dropped off at its office at 1384 Greene St. Call the office at (706) 826-7933 for more information.
GARDEN CITY RESCUE MISSION: Donations of men's and women's cold-weather clothing, in addition to food and toiletry items, may be dropped off at 828 Fenwick St. Call the office at (706) 724-6960 for more information.
COLD SNAP BENEFITS
Temperatures dipping into the teens over much of north Georgia were mostly a good thing for crops, according to Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin.
"We need a cold snap to kill off a lot of insects," Mr. Irvin said.
Jimmy Echols, who owns Jaemor Farm near Lula in Banks County, said the freeze had no effect on his peach trees, and that a peach crop requires about 1,000 chilling hours -- temperatures at 40 degrees or below.
"It don't have to be this cold, though," he said, noting that growers in south Georgia sometimes have more trouble getting the required chilling hours.
-- Associated Press
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