After North Alabama experienced near-record temperatures last week, a drop in temperatures Monday night will lead to the threat of a widespread freeze.
Many farmers across North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee will take precautions to prevent crop loss.
Mike Reeves, the owner of Reeves Farm in Hartselle, is one farmer who will work to protect his crops. His strawberry crop will be the most vulnerable to the freezing temperatures.
“Certain parts of the strawberry, the bloom is most vulnerable,” said Reeves. “One that has already bloomed and that has turned into a small berry is a little tougher.”
While the strawberry crop will be the most vulnerable to the cold, it will also be the easiest to protect from. Farmers, like Reeves, will be able to cover the strawberries with a row cover which provides them an extra five degrees of protection.
Unlike the strawberry crop, Reeves says they are not worried about the peach crop.
“We have so many blooms that we can stand some loss and I hope that’s the situation we’re in tonight,” said Reeves.
The warmer temperatures we have seen previously have allowed the peach trees to blossom. With the loss of some blossom this will result in the growth of larger peaches by the end of May!
Source - https://whnt.com
