A SPECIAL REPORT: AGRICULTURE

STRAWBERRY ICE: Orange County farmers are out plowing their strawberry fields for planting during the first week in October and wondering whether the frost gods will spare them again. . . . Seems the December freeze that hit strawberries north of Oxnard turned out to be a blessing for growers here: It destroyed the first blossoms of the northern crop and delayed harvest there long enough for Orange County to have most of the March production to itself.

Top Crops

Orange County’s five most profitable crops accounted for more than $200 million in revenue for the 1990 season.

In millions of dollars

Nursery stock & cut flowers: $135.1

Strawberries: $34.7

Valencia oranges: $21.5

Tomatoes: $14.6

Peppers: $9.9

Source: Orange County Agricultural Commissioner