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Plant City strawberry growers battle freezing temperatures to protect Valentine’s harvest

In Plant City, high-tech greenhouse growers are applying overnight efforts to safeguard their strawberry crops against the threat of freezing temperatures. At Parkesdale Farms, covering 300 acres dedicated to strawberries, the focus is currently on shielding the harvest slated for Valentine's Day from potential frost or freeze damage, which could lead to significant financial losses.

The farm's crews have been meticulously checking the irrigation system as a preventive measure against frost, which can commence at temperatures as low as 33 or 34 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Matt Parke, the farm manager, the onset of a hard, dry frost necessitates the activation of the irrigation system. This process involves continuous overnight vigilance over temperature fluctuations, dew points, and the critical decision of when to engage the pumps to avert a possible disastrous crop failure.

Parke highlights the delicate equilibrium required in this situation, noting that while the correct application of frost protection measures can result in sweeter berries, any misstep could culminate in a costly error. He estimates that at least a third of the crop is at risk on particularly cold nights, underscoring the high stakes involved in these frost protection efforts.

Source: News Channel 8

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