By Clint Thompson
Blueberry growers in northern Florida are eyeing freezing temperatures next week and could be implementing freeze protection strategies as a result.
According to weather.com, low temperatures in Gainesville, Florida, are expected to drop in the low 30s on Sunday through Wednesday, with 31-degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures expected Tuesday night and Wednesday night. That is a potential concern for growers in the region, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator.
“They don’t have a lot of bloom on yet. One degree one way or the other can make a lot of difference,” said. “Sometimes when they get to be 34, they’ll be safe and turn it on or if they don’t really have bloom in the field, they may feel comfortable going down to 32.
“In summary, they’ll be up those nights watching real close to where the temperature is going to be.”
Because most blueberry bushes are not in full bloom, it provides an extra layer of defense against potentially freezing temperatures.
“If they’ve got some stuff in North Florida where the buds are still at or mostly closed, it’s going to be more cold hardy than if you’ve got an open bloom,” Phillips said. “That can influence whether a grower decides to run water or not, depending on the temperature.”