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FLORAL CITY, Fla. — Farmers in areas like Citrus County are taking precautions when it comes to protecting crops and agriculture during cold weather. It’s a livelihood for many businesses, like Ferris Groves.
In a field of strawberries, Ferris Groves farm manager Matt Reichenbach inspects the abundance of bright red fruit. While they look good and plenty right now, a freeze warning is in effect for overnight Thursday into Friday.
“On a freeze, you want to protect these blooms and the green fruit,” said Reichenbach. “That’s the most sensitive.”
Reichenbach has been working on the farm for about 11 years, so he’s no stranger to the cold weather they experience this time of year.
“Our goal here with the frost protection is to make ice,” said Reichenbach. “The strawberry fields here have two irrigation systems … a drip and another sprinkler irrigation for frost protection.”
It’s fighting cold with cold. Despite the chillier temps, Reichenbach says the cold can be beneficial to the taste of the fruit.
“As long as we do our job right and everything goes smoothly, the cold really won’t affect too much. It makes the strawberries sweet,” he said.
Strawberry season runs from Thanksgiving to Easter, but for the rest of the crew at Ferris Groves, it’s a 24/7 business with an assortment of products made available for locals and visitors alike.
“We’re trying to do our best to keep it going and be apart of the legacy of Ferris,” Reichenbach said. “So it’s pretty cool to be a part of it.”
A legacy that is nearly 100 years in the making. They take great pride in the farm to table freshness.
“We’ve got a great supply of strawberries,” said Reichenbach. “This cold weather will just make them sweeter and continue to grow. We should have a great rest of season.”
Showing even the smallest of fruit can have the biggest of impacts.
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Calvin Lewis
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