Valley citrus growers are doing what they can to save their crops from damage now that overnight temperatures are below freezing for up to 8 hours.
Growers are running water and their wind machines to fight the frost, by raising crop temperatures by a few degrees.
Also, because of the lack of rain this winter, the air is dry, which can actually have a freeze-drying effect on crops.
Citrus grower Keith Nilmeier said, "We have to hydrate a lot earlier a couple of days ahead just to keep them in good shape, otherwise when it gets cold like that, it's kind of like getting freeze-dried coffee except for we're doing that to our trees."
Nilmeier says he's already spent about $30,000 on fuel this season to keep his orchards from damage. Farmers around the Valley have paid over $90 million to do the same.
Growers are running water and their wind machines to fight the frost, by raising crop temperatures by a few degrees.
Also, because of the lack of rain this winter, the air is dry, which can actually have a freeze-drying effect on crops.
Citrus grower Keith Nilmeier said, "We have to hydrate a lot earlier a couple of days ahead just to keep them in good shape, otherwise when it gets cold like that, it's kind of like getting freeze-dried coffee except for we're doing that to our trees."
Nilmeier says he's already spent about $30,000 on fuel this season to keep his orchards from damage. Farmers around the Valley have paid over $90 million to do the same.