Md. Farmers Sweating Early Spring
THURMONT, Md. (AP) -- While the Mid-Atlantic has been enjoying an early spring, it's not much fun for fruit farmers in the region.
Robert Black says no fruit growers in the area are sleeping well. Black tells The Frederick News-Post that apricots at his Catoctin Orchards are blooming along with a few peaches. But if the temperature drops below freezing again, he could lose a whole year's worth of crops.
Forecasts are calling for about another week of 70-degree days. Black says his fruit trees are three weeks ahead of schedule.
The mild winter has been good for some other crops. Frederick County Master Gardener David Muns says many vegetables that normally would have frozen and died have survived the winter. Those include kale, bok choy, beets and Swiss chard.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
