Most Americans have enjoyed a very mild winter this year, with limited snowfall, and higher than average temperatures. This mild winter has not gone unnoticed by North Carolina growers, most of whom have enjoyed the warm weather both in their outdoor work and in the results they've seen in the field.

The most notable effect of the mild temperatures has been increased growth and quality in the fields. Gary Wise of Wise Farms said they have seen very good quality in their fields all winter. He said that it is the best he has seen in 3-4 years, despite moving much of his production to pesticide-free. Jan Jackson of Jackson Farms echoed a similar sentiment, adding that the warm days have pushed many of their winter crops production up significantly. Jan planted green garlic and scallions in early October of 2011, their usual planting schedule. This generally yields harvests starting in early April, but this year both products were ready to pick in February. This is the earliest Jan ever remembers these products being available, despite having grown them for a number of years. The mild weather is also yielding results in the greenhouse, as growers prepare seedlings for Spring planting. Jan says that they have saved a decent amount of money on electrical costs, by just burning a wood stove in their greenhouse for the occasional nights when temperatures drop under freezing. Many herbs are coming out of winter hibernation early and others like Italian Parsley have continued lush and green for most of the winter. Strawberry production in the solar tunnels of Lewis Farm have also continued strong all winter. Previous years have seen interruptions in winter Strawberry production from low temperatures and/or snowfall. This year has seen solid numbers every single week, without any interruption.

Growers also mention that they have really enjoyed the opportunity to work outside this winter in the mild weather. Jan said that chopping winter weeds has been a pleasant affair this year, and they have even gotten ambitious preparing new projects for the spring and summer, like setting up a trellis of hundreds of bamboo poles for heirloom pole beans later this year.

On the downside there are some potential negative effects that a mild winter may have on NC agriculture for the rest of the year. Shari Penland of Fox Hollow Farm worries that insect populations may not have died back as much as they usually do over the winter. These pests could pose a greater threat to crops this year as they may come back quicker and in greater numbers than usual. Another potential downside of the mild winter is the damage that could result from a late season frost on fruit production. According to Jan, fruits such as blueberries, pears, peaches, and elderberries are "ready to explode their blossoms". Jan explains that each blossom makes one fruit, so if that blossom receives a "killing frost" the fruit that comes later in the season will be lost. The result would be reduced supply on many spring and summer fruits, and potentially higher prices on what is available. However, if temperature trends and averages continue as they have been, we may very well be able to escape without significant damage to fruit blossoms. As Jan put it, "A farmer must keep his glass half full."

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