The bad news for Tennessee’s strawberry farmers is that they are not going to get much sleep this weekend. They are going to be cold, and they are going to need a lot of help in their fields. The good news is that they are well prepared to save their crops despite an impending hard freeze.
The current statewide forecast for Tennessee, depending on location, is for frigid temperatures to last through the weekend.
The forecast is for a low of 25-30 degrees Saturday night and Sunday night with threats of sleet, snow and ice thrown into the mix. This scenario would not be unusual for early March, but an unseasonably warm winter launched Tennessee’s strawberry crop into early growth and bloom. Unprotected berry fields could see significant loss.
Strawberry blooms begin to experience stress when temperatures hit about 30 degrees. For strawberry crops in full bloom, being subjected to a 28 degree temperature for even 30 minutes results in about a 10 percent kill. There will be a 90 percent kill when strawberries are exposed to temperatures that hover around 25 degrees for 30 minutes.
Strawberry growers will protect their fields through a laborious process, covering each row with a heavy cloth. If the daytime is sunny, safely above freezing temperatures and without cold winds, the row covers are removed so that plants and soil can soak up warmth. Covers are then reapplied in late afternoon. As long as this weekend’s forecast does not deteriorate further, Tennesseans can still look forward to a good local crop.
A few other fruit crops may also be impacted by the weekend chill, and are harder to protect. Fruit tree growers, particularly those who grow cherries and plums, may already have some blooming trees which could be affected.
Statewide directories of strawberry growers and farmers markets are available at the Pick Tennessee Products website, www.picktnproducts.org. The Pick Tennessee mobile app allows users to search for nearby strawberry patches, as well as markets where local berries are sold.