Cloud Cover Saves Florida Crops From Unforgiving Winter Weather

When winter arrives, crops are typically in danger, but in Florida, crops were protected from the current unforgiving winter weather by a cloud cover that hovered over the region the previous week.

According to state growers' association officials, Florida's citrus, fruit, and vegetable crops have seemed to have avoided any significant damage from some of the coldest weather in years.

Cloud Cover that Saved Florida Crops

According to Matt Joyner, the CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, a cloud cover helped save citrus trees in locations where the temperature fluctuated near or below freezing, though there may be pockets of damage.

In an email, Joyner said that The industry appears to have fared reasonably well so far.

They seemed to be right on the cusp of what might have been a catastrophic occurrence.

According to Christina Morton, the director of communications for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Florida's fruit and vegetable growers also reported no significant crop damage, though growers are still evaluating the impact of the cold weather.

Morton said in an email that Early reports indicate that, given the extremely low temperature and how long it persisted, growers were quite fortunate.

Chilly End of 2022

The Florida Panhandle experienced wind chills in the single digits over the second to last weekend of 2022, and central Florida's interior experienced lows of 27 degrees Fahrenheit.

The temperature dropped below freezing at Tampa International Airport for the first time in nearly five years, WINK News reported.

According to Tampa Bay Times, photoperiod, also referred to as the length of the day, is how plants determine the season.

Plants respond when the length of the day is reduced. Either plants have long days or they have short days.

Deciduous trees respond to shorter days by changing their color or losing their leaves. Turfgrass growth slows as a result of the shorter days.

A University of Florida Extension agent advises being careful with watering, fertilizing, and pruning during the winter months because plants have a tendency to go dormant.

Due to the frequent temperature changes, Central Florida can be a difficult location to maintain a landscape during the winter.

Agriculture in Florida

Growers harvested as much of their crops as they could in advance of the Arctic blast because Florida is the main source of fresh vegetables and fruits for the rest of the nation during the winter.

Growers utilized overhead irrigation to spray a protective layer of ice around the fruit in the middle of the state, where blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are produced.

Two hurricanes, Ian and Nicole, already battered Florida's agricultural industry this fall.

Citrus groves were severely damaged by Hurricane Ian, as were the state's extensive dairy and cattle industries, as well as crops like tomatoes and peppers and even hundreds of thousands of bees that were crucial to many growers, AP News reported.

According to Netstate data on Florida's Economy, The most significant crop grown in Florida is the orange, with tomatoes coming in second.

Watermelons, bananas, papayas, and other non-citrus fruits are also grown.

Cabbage, celery, green peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes, snap beans, squash, and sweet corn are among the vegetables grown in Florida.

Florida is the nation's leader in sugar cane production as well.

Tobacco, soybeans, and peanuts are additional field crops. Only California produces more greenhouse and nursery goods than Florida, which tops the list for indoor plant production.