Freeze Warning in Phoenix threatens citrus plants as Valley nurseries prepare

You’ll notice the cold temperatures have finally arrived in the Valley on early mornings when you wake up.

Now, a Freeze Warning is underway in Phoenix.

The weather could have damaging effects on the citrus industry and your plants if you are not prepared. 

Citrus, one of Arizona's Five C's

The backstory:

Every Arizona school child knows one of the Five C’s of the Arizona economy is citrus.

Overnight cold temperatures can threaten a variety of plants, particularly citrus. 

Hagens Farm Orchard in Queen Creek says they took measures to protect their trees during the morning cold front. 

In the front yards of Phoenix neighborhoods, you’ll see sheets draped over fruit trees to keep warm at night. 

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"This time of year when you have 35 to 40 degree fluctuation between day and night, you’ll see some of the fruit will fall," said owner of Greenfield Citrus John Babiarz as he walks through his 30-acre property. 

Beside the 30 peacocks who live nearby, he combs through all his citrus trees ahead of another evening freeze. 

"The smaller they are, the more chance they have to freeze. If it was going to be like four, five, six hours below freezing, this bay would be underwater already," he said. 

As the Phoenix-metro area remains under a Freeze Warning through Wednesday, he suggests a few steps for plant owners like watering them before evening. 

What they're saying:

"Extra water won’t hurt them, it will keep them warmer," he said. "If you have lemons or lime trees, which are more susceptible to freezing rather than grapefruit or oranges, then I suggest you cover those with a sheet or two." 

Matthew Whitfill of Whitfill Nursery has additional tips. 

"Bed sheets work, towels work, anything that can go over the top, the only thing you can’t use is plastic," he said. 

Whitfill says the plants at Whitfill Nursey off 7th Avenue and Glendale are already prepared and the plants are covered. 

"You only really need to cover them like a tablecloth on a table," Matthew said. "You’re not trying to wrap them or bundle them. It’s literally just as easy as setting something over the top." 

Local perspective:

A big wind turbine keeps the frost from settling on the plants. Even the cacti have their winter hats to keep their heads from being too cold too. 

He says just a few steps the night before, might save some greenery from freezing over. 

"It’s not going to be that cold. We’ve definitely had worse years in the past, but even then, it’s not fun to wake up in the morning and see a bunch of corpses in the yard," said Whitfill. 

Big picture view:

The popular desert plants most susceptible to freeze include Bogenvia, Lantana, Elephant Food Succulents, Lemon and Lime trees.

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