<p>Freezing temperatures are reported for the northern and central growing regions of Florida and are slated to last through Saturday morning as min temps are expected to drop into the upper 20s for some areas.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Though growers may see some relief late into the weekend, growers tell us that another cold front is expected to move into Plant City, Florida in the middle of next week and could bring some of the coldest temperatures of the season.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">One Florida strawberry grower notes that due to the weather challenges this season, production is lagging dramatically, down by 25% over last year at this same time. Florida is predicted to see warmer temperatures at the beginning of February, causing a heavy push and bumper crop for strawberries. The cold delays harvest, but the real challenge is the cold combined with wind.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> One tropical grower told AndNowUKnow, that the crops had suffered some damage this past week but it’s not unusual this time of the year to have such cold weather. It means staying up all night and babysitting the groves checking temperatures, wind speeds and for moisture on the leaves which can turn into frost. Frost burns the plant. Tropicals being harvested in the region include starfruit, guavas, boniatos, and papayas.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The grower notes, once it gets below 36 degrees and the winds are less then five miles per hour, they send in a helicopter to fly over the groves to bring the warmer air that's up in the inversion layer back down to the grove.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the Florida growing season.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
