Warmer winter temperatures in central Kentucky could open the door to new flowering shrubs and fruit trees. The U-S Department of Agriculture has revised its ‘plant hardiness zone’ map. It assumes the average lowest winter temperatures in Kentucky are five degrees warmer than they were in 1990. Clark County Extension Agent Frank Hicks says it might mean a few more fruit trees could survive a central Kentucky winter.
“A little bit of warmth may enable us to do a better job of growing peaches here…pecans is another thing,” said Hicks.
Hicks says pecans are already grown in southwestern Kentucky. But, he adds, it won’t open the door to orange growers anytime soon.
“Not in our lifetime…now as for what long term..I don’t feel qualified to address that.. if it does the negative impact on the overall eco system will be dramatic,” added Hicks.
According to the new plant hardiness map, the extension agent says there should be no impacts on annual crops like soybeans, corn, and tomatoes. Kentucky Produce Marketing Specialist Adam Watson says it could mean a slightly longer growing season, but he adds, ‘It’s not a game changer.” Watson says the average lowest temperature across Kentucky in 1990 ranged from minus 15 degrees to zero. The new map sets those figures at minus ten to five degrees above.
