News-Argus/Bobby Williams

Farmers across Duplin County are preparing to harvest their vegetables and fruits in the next few weeks. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agent Whit Jones said many farmers are harvesting their squash and cabbage fields and cucumber and cantaloupe crops are expected to be ready in the coming weeks.

Peppers and tomatoes should ripen by July and watermelons should be ready in August. Although eastern North Carolina has not received much rain in the past two months, Jones said many of Duplin's farmers irrigate their fields continuously to support their produce.