Citrus grower fights to keep crop healthy as Phoenix area is faced with cold spell
Arizona citrus growers are working hard this week to keep their plants thriving during this cold snap as overnight temps are hovering around the freezing mark. Fortunately, the plants at Agritopia in Gilbert are doing well because the farmers plan in advance, and know how to handle the temps.
Kelly Saxer, head farmer at Agritopia: "One thing we try to do, we try to keep things hydrated and so we do run irrigation to keep the plants hydrated with the cold temps because that can dehydrate them.” Many of the plants on the farm, like the citrus trees, are able to withstand the near-freezing weather, but once it dips to 25 degrees, that's when it becomes a problem.
"The fruit itself will start to freeze and that's the worst because you have a crop that looks good on the outside but on the inside, it's just frozen and dehydrated looking," Saxer said.
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