Southwest Florida farmers brace for cold, protect vulnerable crops

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — As cold temperatures sweep across Southwest Florida, local farmers are working tirelessly to protect their crops. The chill puts delicate produce at risk, and farmers like those at Southern Fresh Farms are taking action.

Robert McMahon, the founder of Southern Fresh Farms, explained that while some crops like lettuce, broccoli, collard greens, and cauliflower thrive in cooler weather, others are more vulnerable.

"Our lettuces, our broccolis, our collard greens, cauliflowers, they love this weather. It's hard to hurt them. In fact, they will thrive. But your tomatoes, your green beans, your peppers, they're a little more tender," said McMahon.

He noted that the wind overnight helped prevent frost from settling, but he remains cautious as cold mornings continue.

"We're probably still not out of the woods because if that wind dies down, you know, at daylight, it could dip down close enough to maybe settle some frost on some things," said McMahon.

One of the first lines of defense for farmers during a freeze is crop cover, which acts like a blanket, trapping heat close to the ground. This method helps protect the crops, but there are no guarantees.

"It's a living thing, right? And so you've got to take care of it. You've got to be there for it," said McMahon.

However, even with precautions, crops may still be affected.

"Anytime that plant gets stressed or hurt, it's going to produce less. And anytime your plant produces less, well then it's going to hurt you economically," said McMahon.

Losing part of a crop during peak season can significantly impact farmers, especially with winter visitors increasing demand for fresh local produce.

"You dedicate a lot of time to it and hope for the best because Mother Nature can outsmart you most every time," said McMahon.