Cold front hits Florida citrus region, USDA reports
Temperatures cooled significantly in Florida’s citrus growing region last week, with average highs ranging from the low 60s to the low 70s, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Florida Crop Progress and Condition Report.
“Notably, due to a strong cold front, several locations experienced nightly lows at or below freezing,” the USDA said. These areas included Mount Plymouth in Lake County at 27 degrees, Clermont in Lake County at 30 degrees, and Winter Haven in Polk County at 31 degrees.
Growers were assessing any damage due to the cold weather, according to the report.
The citrus belt received widespread light to moderate rainfall during the reporting period associated with the passage of multiple cold fronts. The most rain fell in Lake Placid in Highlands County, receiving 1.5 inches of precipitation.
According to the Dec. 22, 2022, U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire citrus growing region remained drought free, though abnormally dry conditions edged closer to some groves in the northwestern portion of the citrus area.
Grove operations included spraying pesticides, fertilizing, spraying, mowing, topping, hedging, removal of dead trees, replanting young trees and general grove maintenance. Irrigation was running statewide, said the report.
Sizing on this season’s crop was as follows: Oranges about tennis ball to baseball size and grapefruit about softball size. Field personnel reported grapefruit coloring well, with coloration beginning on Valencia oranges also.
Harvested varieties for the fresh market included early- and mid-season tangerines and Navel oranges, and red and white grapefruit. Processed fruit included field-run early oranges, Navels and red grapefruit, along with packinghouse eliminations of all fruit types, according to the report.
