Tulare County:
Wednesday's rain may be a frost deterrent for citrus
In an article by visaliatimesdelta.com, it is explained how cooler nights are needed to help the fruit and sugar mature. Even with only 25 percent of the navel orange crop picked, citrus industry officials said they are pleased with the crop so far.
"We have adequate protection with water and wind machines to protect the crop," said Dan Dryer, who manages 1,000 acres of navel oranges. "We use water to warm up the orchard floor and we use the wind to pull down the warmer air above the tops of the trees and back into the groves."
Because the fruit is doing its job and the citrus crews are prepared to do theirs, Dryer said these forecasted low temperatures are not too concerning. Professionals in the industry said rain is one element they've been needing.
Alyssa Houtby, director of government affairs at California Citrus Mutal agreed rain is needed but it's also about timing. Rain during harvest season can be a setback but rain while temperatures reach below freezing can help the crop, she said.
