PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Ryan Atwood
Several cold fronts have kept Florida blueberry growers busy protecting their plants from freezing temperatures. Most reports from growers are positive, showing that they have been successful in their efforts.
Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences blueberry Extension coordinator in Wimauma, said he has been communicating with several growers throughout Florida and has not heard of any significant damage.
“Most of what I have been hearing is minimal damage,” Phillips said. “We’ve been fortunate on most of these cold nights that the wind laid down and allowed growers to get good ice coverage on the plants to protect their blooms and fruit.”
Ryan Atwood, a Central Florida grower, echoed that sentiment. He has had to protect his crops on four nights so far this winter.
“We’ve seen little to no damage from the cold,” Atwood said. “That’s what I am hearing from other growers in Florida. I have heard that there might have been some damage to the early varieties in Georgia.”
Another cold snap is forecast that could have growers back out again protecting their plants on the morning of Jan. 27. Atwood and others will be vigilant.
“Our crop is all spread out,” Atwood said. “I’ve got flowers still to come, and I have some fruit that was set in early January.”
by Frank Giles