Fruit Growers Hoping For Best With Freeze Possible

apples-4
apples-4

Fruit growers in Michigan are bracing for the worst as freezing temperatures are expected to hit tonight. Michigan State University Extension’s Mark Longstroth in Van Buren County says peaches, cherries, and pears are already blooming in southwest Michigan and apples are starting to open up. He says projections are for 32 degrees along the lakeshore overnight and 26 to 28 degrees inland.

“Most of us are praying that it doesn’t go below 28,” says Longstroth. “When flowers are open in the fruit trees, they can handle temperatures down to 29 degrees with very little injury, but once we get to 28 degrees, we’ll see about a 10% loss.”

Longstroth says  it will be next week before damage can be seen.