FORT MILL, S.C. -- Springs Farm in Fort Mill already took a 50 percent hit to its peach crop back in April because of a late frost. Now the farm is feeling the heat as we all are and trying to deal with multiple stretches of near 100.
"It's starting to take its toll on it," said Ron Edwards, Springs Farm general manager.
The blend of sunshine, temperature, and rain can be the difference in success or failure for Edwards.
"Our vegetables, we're running water sometimes around the clock," said Edwards.
The farms' vegetables, such as squash and zucchini, are more susceptible to stretches of extreme heat than peaches. Edwards says the canopy of the peach trees protect the fruit, but long stretches of heat will reduce the size of the peaches.
The scorching temperatures are actually beneficial for one of the globes hottest peppers, the Carolina Reaper, planted here in York County.
"For growing peppers it's very good as long as we can keep the water on them," said Ed Currie, owner of Pucker Butt Pepper Company.
Currie says while the blazing sun helps his peppers it's a drag for crews.
"I get pallets full of water and we go through 10-12 cases of water in a day," said Currie.
Currie leased land from Springs Farm and on Monday worked to get 12.5 acres of peppers in the ground. Currie claims his hybrid Carolina Reaper is the hottest on the planet.
