Transplanting remained active with some delays due to the threat of Hurricane Irene. However, the storm by passed the growing area. The crop is in fair to good condition. Harvesting is slowly increasing. Fruit quality is fair to good.
Sizes are variable.
Soggy soils and strong winds caused oldest staked plants to lean. Other storm damage includes increased bloom drop, some fruit drop increase, stem breakage, and foliage burn on younger plants. Yield prospects are reduced. Some loss is expected from flooded acreage. Spraying, re-staking, retying, repairing of washouts, and pumping of excess water became active after the storm passed.