Crops Escape Harm From Cold Temperatures
A cold snap that dropped temperatures below 30 degrees Tuesday did not damage local agriculture, but officials warn that continuing frosty weather this week remains a threat to fragile strawberry, avocado, citrus and flower crops.
Temperatures fell below 30 degrees in Santa Paula on Tuesday night but didn’t stay there long enough to damage crops, said David Buettner, chief deputy agricultural commissioner for Ventura County. Serious damage occurs when temperatures stay around 26 or 28 degrees for four to six hours, he said.
Growers mitigated damage with wind machines that warmed the air and by watering the soil under citrus trees to release heat.
More sub-30-degree weather was expected Wednesday night and tonight, but temperatures are expected to rise after that, said meteorologist Terry Schaeffer, who provides forecasts for local growers.
“I don’t think there will be any damage in protected areas and perhaps minor damage in unprotected areas,” Schaeffer said.
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