Farmers prepare for freezing temperatures

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Some Pender County blueberry farmers are closely watching the weather. The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for inland Pender and Bladen counties for Wednesday morning.

Tony Hardin, foreman for Lewis Nursery and Farms, said they keep a close watch on their blueberry crop especially when there’s a freeze warning in effect for their area.

“If it gets down below 33, 34 degrees we’ll cut these sprinklers on you see behind me and we’ll water and protect the flowers,” said Hardin. “We’ll stay out here all night, watch the temperature and be right here and when it reaches a certain temperature 33, 34 degrees we’ll crank up the pumps all over these fields.”

Hardin said wetting the flowers and it’s blueberries is a good way to keep the crops from freezing.

“The water coats it. As water freezes it gives off heat so the flowers won’t go below 32 degrees,” said Hardin. “If I don’t do it and it freeze it will kill them, your crop would be very short.”

Hardin said this season’s weather has been unusual. It was warm early in the season, so plants put out flowers early and now they will deal with freezing. But Hardin is hopeful their blueberry season will continue to bloom.

“It’s been a good season so far we’ve got a good crop, everything is looking good right now,” said Hardin.

It’s not just farmers who should watch their plants during freezing temperatures, the National Weather Service is asking people to be mindful of their plants that are sensitive to weather.