Grand Valley, CO
By Eric Anderson
4.5.13
Peaches in Colorado’s Grand Valley are coming out of dormancy, meaning the next few weeks will determine the outcome of this year’s crop.
Area farmer Charlie Talbott said a lot of work goes into nursing a peach orchard through the spring, but is optimistic about what this year’s crop will bring as the he gears up for the season, according to NBC11News.
April represents a make it or break it month. As the trees come of dormancy, they become vulnerable to frosts, which could loom ahead.
"Our main method of frost protection lies in our wind machines; they are fans on towers that are 30-35 feet in the air, and they rotate every 5-6 minutes, constantly pushing warm air from above to purge out the cold air that settles on the orchard floor," said Talbott.If temperatures drop below 29 degrees, the expected mid-April blooms could freeze and have serious negative effects on crop output.
According to Talbott, May 10 is the latest frost on record, and he said if his trees make it until then, he's in the clear.
