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Growers optimistic after freeze
By Times Staff
Published February 14, 2006
Brooksville Blueberry grower George Casey said that by all indications his 17,000 plants came through the late season cold snap in pretty good shape. At about midnight Monday he began spraying water to encase the plants' delicate blossoms in an ice cocoon to protect them from damage.
"It got down to about 20 degrees by 4 a.m. but judging by the amount of ice we layed down it looks like we got through okay," said Casey. It will take three to five days, however, to determine the extent of any damage to the blossoms, he said.
Area citrus growers believed they also fared well.
"My best indicator has always been our lemon trees because they blossom earlier than oranges and grapefruit," said Boyette Grove owner Kathy Oleson. "When I checked this morning I didn't see anything that would indicate any damage."
Oleson said that subfreezing temperatures in February are quite rare and likened Tuesday's thermometer dip to "a test on the last day of school."
-- LOGAN NEILL
[Last modified February 14, 2006, 11:35:04]
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