weather

Cold Protection: The Tried and the New

Ernie Neff cold protection

Tried and proven cold protection techniques and changes to the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) were discussed in a virtual Nov. 17 winter weather program. Chris Oswalt, citrus Extension agent for Hillsborough and Polk counties, summarized the decades-old cold protection techniques still practiced by Florida citrus growers. One of the first steps in cold protection is being prepared by staying …

crisp

Getting Ready for Cold Weather

Ernie Neff cold protection

By Ray Royce As we are now in November, growers should start to think about the prospect of the potentially adverse conditions that winter can bring. Do not get caught off guard by delaying your winter preparations. There are a few measures that growers can undertake to better prepare for cold weather, and now is a good time to start …

citrus

Citrus Growers Can Call for Frost Protection Information

Daniel Cooper cold protection, Industry News Release

(UF/IFAS) — Just one freeze could cripple much of Florida’s citrus crop. It happened 30 years ago. Chris Oswalt, a multi-county commercial citrus agent for University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, remembers the frost-bitten evenings. Christmas 1983, January 1985 and Christmas 1989 marked three of the worst citrus freezes in the state’s history. Even though …

growers

Growers Prepare for Winter Weather With UF/IFAS Extension

Daniel Cooper cold protection, Industry News Release, Weather

(UF/IFAS) — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension will educate growers on how to protect their crops and prepare for cold weather at the upcoming Winter Weather School. This year, the event will address winter crop protection for citrus, blueberries and ornamental plants; all of which need cold protection during severe weather. “While we have …

Cold-Protection Practices for Citrus

Ernie Neff cold protection

Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus Extension agent for Polk and Hillsborough counties, discusses passive and active cold-protection practices for citrus trees. “Passive practices are those things that growers would intentionally do before typically planting the grove,” Oswalt says. Site selection, including planting on higher elevations that are warmer than lower cold-pocket locations, is …