See tips on hurricane prep for citrus growers in the UF/IFAS Tip of the Week as we head into the height of the hurricane season.

Many Florida citrus growers sustained heavy losses from hurricane damage last season, and many are hoping The Sunshine State will not suffer a repeat anytime soon. However, the best this a grove operator can do is to be prepared. According to the UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article, “growers who have developed hurricane preparedness plans prior to the event have the best chance of minimizing losses. They will be prepared to save groves by quickly replanting uprooted and blown-over trees and by removing excess water within 72 hours to avoid root damage caused by suffocation from lack of oxygen.” See tips for hurricane prep for citrus growers from the article, below.

Tips for Hurricane Prep for Citrus Growers

The article maintains that, though the Atlantic Hurricane Season is from June to November, hurricanes “are most likely to occur in August and September, at the end of the rainy season when the soil and water retention areas are least able to accommodate more water.”

General tips for hurricane prep for citrus growers from the article include:

  • “The hurricane preparedness plan should provide protection from a storm and recovery after a storm.”
  • “Little can be done to protect trees and fruit from wind, but growers can take steps to protect the people, equipment and supplies that will be needed in the recovery process. This includes having adequate insurance for groves, buildings and equipment.”
  • Ensure “that all managers know their responsibilities prior to, during and after a hurricane. Make a list of all tasks that will need to be performed so there are no last-minute, unanticipated gaps to plug.”
  • “Identify and maintain an updated list of the members of a damage inspection team, which will determine where storm damage occurred and how extensive it is.”
  • “Specific workers should be assigned to fix ditches, prop up trees, clear roadways and perform other tasks after the storm.”
  • “Make sure you know how to contact workers at their place of safety, and that they have a way to call in after the storm.”

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.