FORT VALLEY, Ga. --- Peach trees are starting to blossom in middle Georgia and growers are keeping an eye on the weather, waiting for the danger of a freeze to pass.

Peach growers are hoping to rebound from last year's devastating freeze on Easter, which fell on April 8. Chill hours this winter have been sufficient and rainfall has been good.

"We are in good shape," said Bill McGehee, the manager of Pearson Farms in Fort Valley. "But we've just got a long way to go. We are in a critical stage right now."

Growers in Peach County suffered about an 80 percent loss last year from the hard freeze on Easter weekend. Peach County extension agent Frank Funderburk says the loss for all middle Georgia growers was about 60 percent. Losses statewide were about 70 percent.

The 2007 freeze also reduced many other crops, from blueberries to wheat.

Hopes are high this year, said Mark Sanchez, the chief operating officer of Lane Packing Co., which has 2,300 acres of peach trees.

The Peach County company -- one of the largest growers in the state -- had about an 85 percent loss last year.

"Last year was obviously not much fun. We are glad to get off to a good start," Mr. Sanchez said.

Full bloom typically comes in mid-March.