By Diana McFarland
News editor
It’s not just the lack of rain — rising soil temperatures can also foil a crop, according to local farmers.
Peanuts are particularly affected when soil temperatures rise above 85 degrees, said Glenn Slade, extension agent with the Surry Extension Office.
And with temperatures soaring past 100 degrees last weekend, the situation underground only continues to heat up.
Isle of Wight farmer Dee Dee Darden is anxiously watching their peanut crop for signs of stress.
Right now the peanuts are “pegging,” Darden said.
