Central Florida’s 2011 Winter Outlook - Get Ready for Frost!

News Source: WiredPRNews.com
Orlando, Florida (WiredPRNews.com). Central Florida is known for good ole wholesome fruit and mild winter climates, but this year’s winter may rob some key crops of their best performance.

Central Florida is expected to experience dry and colder than normal winter temperatures for the coming year, according to the recently released 2011 Farmers Almanac. Florida falls into the Southeast region where the almanac says frosty conditions will be widespread starting in late January 2011. Skies may be clear between Jan 28-31, but the frost will greet Central and northern fruit trees with a vengence.

The cold will be followed by rain from the Carolinas to Florida beginning in February, the Farmers’ Almanac 2011 winter report said.

These types of forecasts are important to watch for fruit tree growers because long cold spells can damage trees and even kill citrus. Short periods of 20-degree temperatures are not bad, but temperatures below 20 lasting for days can be a serious problem.

“You can’t stop weather from misbehaving, but you can certainly get ready for it,” said John Howard, President of Premiere Tree Services of Orlando, a professional tree planting and tree removal company.

Howard recommends planting trees near structures or walls to help protect them from cold and wind.

You might think that watering trees in the winter will only make cold weather harder on them. Not so, according to Premiere Tree Services of Orlando. Watering trees in the winter helps, according to Howard.

“That’s because soil around trees can freeze and remove moisture from tree roots, which obviously harms the tree,” he said.

Begin watering before temperatures reach 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Howard also recommends that tree growers keep the soil bare around citrus trees rather than adding mulch in the winter. Bare ground is a better conductor of heat, he said.

For more help on tree planting and handling tree issues, visit http://orlando.premieretreeservices.com. Premiere Tree Services of Orlando is located at 424 E. Central Blvd, Suite 505, Orlando, FL 32801, or by calling (407) 513-4193.
News Source: http://www.WiredPRNews.com - Press Release Distribution