THONOTOSASSA, Fla. — Farmers are working to protect their crops from the cold temperatures that have been affecting the Tampa Bay area.
Don Balaban, the Owner of Balaban Farms, grows many different fruits.
The condition of his lemon trees was not promising.
“It’s soft,” he said. “It’s not good.”
A farmer for 20 years, Balaban grows everything from oranges to macadamia nuts.
He’s dealt with tough weather before, but when it gets this cold, the weather wreaks havoc.
“God willing, I should have some fruit this year, but it won’t be what it would have been,” he said.
For the trees that already sprouted blossoms, there’s nothing that can be done.
However, for their strawberries, Farm Manager Matias Bueno is creating a layer of ice.
That actually helps protect the berries from frost burn.
“I was out here since 10 p.m. (Saturday night) taking a look at the temperature,” Bueno said.
It’s all hands on deck with this weather.
While Bueno is doing what he can, it won’t be known what the damage really is for at least a couple of days.
“We’re hoping we got enough coverage to not see that much damage,” he said.
This is not typical Florida weather, but Balaban said it hasn’t been too long since they had weather like this.
Four years ago, he said there was a 100-year freeze.
To have something similar is not something any Florida farmer wants to see.
“This time it’s wearing us out because it’s been going on for weeks,” he said. “Started in November, December was warm, and now the last two weeks we’ve been hitting 26 (degrees) a few times. Last night, 24 out here.”
Balaban said no matter what the weather is like in the coming days, Florida farmers are already impacted.
He said the impact of this weather will be felt in next year’s crop.
Matt Lackritz
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