IN THE SOUTHEAST

by Perry M. Smith.

Perry M. Smith is Extension Horticulturist-Vegetables, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.

Climate of the Southeastern States is primarily mild and humid. Occasionally there are short-lived extreme temperatures. The Southeastern States are generally considered to be North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. However, West Texas and West Oklahoma do not fit into this climate pattern and should be considered in the Southwest region.

Climatic conditions in the Southeast allow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to be grown. Fruit ranges from citrus in Florida, Southern Louisiana, and Texas to apples in North Carolina. In the Lower South, vegetable gardening is a year-round job. During recent years, home food production has increased substantially.

Americans are continually moving. Those gardeners who move south should become aware of the southern climate as it relates to gardening. Times for planting vegetables vary Greatly from those of the North. The best advice one can give a new or inexperienced gardener is, "Go to your local county Extension office for garden information."

Compared with many areas of the country, the Southeast has a long growing season. With the exception of high elevation areas in North Carolina and Tennessee, there are at least 180 days without frost. This ranges to well over 300 days in South Florida and Texas.

Often there is confusion regarding freezing temperatures and frost. Frost is the deposit of ice crystals on the surface of plants or other ground objects. It is caused by freezing of water vapor at or below 32 F.

Frequently, because of dry air, frost does not occur with the subfreezing temperatures that injure plants. But it can occur on low growing plants when the reported temperature, which is taken at an eye-level height of about 5 feet, is above freezing. In other words, when frost occurs the temperature in the area of the frost is 32 F or below, while at the 5-foot level it may be several degrees higher.

Most areas of the Southeast receive about 50 inches of rain. Some areas in the mountains report as much as 80 inches.

Even though this much rain is enough to grow several crops, irrigation is often needed for optimum gardening. The heaviest rainfall comes in late winter and early spring. In most years prolonged periods without rain occur during the growing season.

High rainfall and humidity, although needed for plant growth, also create gardening problems. The moist conditions are often ideal for many diseases of plant foliage which are not a problem in more arid regions. Because of this it is not generally recommended that gardeners save their own seed. Most vegetable seed should be grown in and areas of the West.

The Southeast is known for its mild temperature. Temperatures well below zero have been recorded, but these are usually of short duration. the biggest damage to gardens comes with late freezes in spring. For example, a freeze in late March 1955 virtually wiped out the peach crop all over the Southeast. It also severely damaged many vegetables. Fortunately such widespread damage has not occurred since.

In the Lower South, gardening comes to a virtual standstill in midsummer due to high temperature. During most summers temperatures may hit the upper 90's. Readings beyond 100 F occur but not frequently. At these times vegetable crops, such as tomatoes and beans, do not set fruit.

Altitude

The southeastern rim of these States is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. The elevation starts at sea level and rises as you go inland. In Alabama, for example, the elevation at Mobile is 11 feet; Montgomery, 169 feet; and Birmingham, 598 feet. In the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee many areas are above 2,000 feet.

For each 400-foot increase in altitude, flowering of plants of the same species is retarded by 4 days. Also, for each degree of latitude north of the Equator, flowering is retarded 4 days.

Soils of the Southeast vary from lakeland sand to the heaviest prairie soils. With the abundant rainfall, they are subject to erosion year-round. They are rarely frozen for any length of time during winter, when much of the rain occurs. The light sandy soils are also subject to heavy leaching. Organic matter should be added frequently as it is dissipated rapidly by rainfall and high temperatures.

Pests

While the Southeast's mild and humid climate is ideal for a wide variety of crops, it is also great for a number of pests. Garden insects are more prevalent; more generations appear during a long growing season.

Some insects are problems throughout the year. However, the insect population is normally very high for late summer and fall crops. For example, early cucumbers and cantaloupes miss the pickle worm; control of this insect is a must for growing a late crop.

Another common garden pest in the region is nematodes. Here, again, the population increases during the season. New gardeners in the region should have their soil tested for nematodes through the county Extension office. A high percentage of old garden sites are infested.

The climate is ideal for development of many plant diseases. Using resistant varieties (when available), crop rotation, sanitation and fungicides should be considered to reduce losses from disease.

The climate is good for growing weeds and grasses, as well as for gardening. Rarely is there a garden meeting without someone asking how to control nut grass. Using chemicals to control weeds in a garden is somewhat limited. The best recommendation is the "Santa Claus method" hoe! hoe! Hoe!

Varieties

With both fruits and vegetables, gardeners should use varieties tested and found adapted to the Southeast. For example, Everbearing strawberries in some areas of the country do well; however, in the Southeast they might be called never-bearers. Factors that are most important are disease and nematode resistance and the ability to withstand high temperature.

The importance of using recommended varieties applies not only to the region as a whole but for specific areas within it. A good example of this is peaches. Most older varieties require 900 to 1,200 chilling hours (hours below 45 F) to break dormancy. Generally, these are used in the Piedmont areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. But in more southern areas, varieties with less chilling requirements must be used. Some varieties with a chilling requirement of 650 hours and some with even less have been developed in Florida.

Gardeners should obtain a list of recommended varieties for their area from the county Extension office.