News and Stories

Morning temperatures in the San Joaquin Valley, California’s primary citrus growing region, dropped into the low 30s. Temperatures are expected to dip into the mid- to upper 20s tomorrow morning. Freeze warnings are in place for most of the valley through Thursday.

• Currently, no damage has been reported to citrus crops, but growers are taking necessary precautions as a freeze watch will be in effect through Thursday
• Temperatures must be below 28 degrees for 4 hours to cause damage to crops
• A heavy freeze can rupture internal cells, causing fruit to dry out and become unmarketable; ice crystals forming on the exterior of the fruit may develop into cosmetic issues
• Citrus growers are using irrigation water and wind machines as frost prevention tools to raise temperatures a few degrees, decreasing the risk of damage to their crop
• Nightly temperatures are expected to increase into the upper 30s towards the end of the week

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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