Florida fruit and vegetable growers are taking steps to prevent the state’s recent cold snap from affecting crops.
Many growers have deployed irrigation systems through the night to create a protective coating of ice over fields, preventing temperatures from dropping below 32ºF.
While most fruit and vegetables sustain the worst damage at 30ºF or below, citrus is only damaged by prolonged periods of 28ºF or less and is expected to be unaffected by the cold weather.
In an attempt to cushion some of the potential impact, state governor, Jeb Bush, has lifted weight and size limits on trucks for the next seven days to allow thawed crops to be transported quickly to processing plants.
