South Florida Farmers Prepare for Cold Weather This Weekend

Residents of South Florida are already preparing for the predicted cold weather to arrive this weekend. Farmers, in particular, gear up for the weather to avoid the high prices of vegetables.

Irrigation in South Florida [Post: University of Florida]

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How South Florida Farmers Prepare

According to CBS Miami, just a mile away from Everglades, Accursio grows beans, squash, and zucchini in his lands. Accursio states that during the cold weather, vegetable farmers do not start to irrigate their crops unlike what is practiced in Homestead nurseries. Water on dry, hot soil protects the vegetable crops. Water retains the moisture to prevent the cold air from penetrating the soil, says Accursio. It has been 75 years since Accursio and his family have been farming in South Florida.

In Homestead, a few miles northeast, John Alger’s preparations are similar. Alger grows snap beans and sweet corn and he has been in this business for more than 40 years. Alger’s main concern during the weather is how to perform his preparations as quickly as possible. According to Alger, as long as the lands are watered before the cold weather arrives, the vegetable crops have a better chance of surviving. If the cold weather destroys the crops, the price of vegetables in South Flordia could increase. After all, the market is all about demand and supply.

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