Farmers Work To Save Crops From Freeze

POOLVILLE (CBSDFW.COM) - The late-season cold snap that hit DFW on Tuesday morning means more than just dragging out the winter coat again. For farmers across North Texas, the freeze threat has been all about saving this year's crops.

B & G's Garden in Poolville grows a dozen types of fruits and vegetables. They worked to shelter those crops from the frigid weather on Monday night, particularly the tomato plants. Ben Walker already lost this year's plums to a late-season freeze. Now, he's worried about his peaches and apricots.

Walker lost last year's peach crop to unseasonable cold as well, as did most of Parker County. It has been a rough two years on the 10-acre farm.

"I'm used to something like that," Walker said. "But to be the 14th of April? Just unbelievable."

If temperatures stay right at the freezing mark, Walker added, the crops should be able to survive. At first glance, it looks like everything is okay, including those tomato plants. It will be another three days before there is a verdict on the peaches and apricots.

Now that the freeze has passed, Walker is already looked ahead to the next weather threat. A hailstorm, he said, could wipe out his entire crop.

Produce that is grown at B & G's Garden is sold at Central Market, Cowtown Farmers Market on the west side of Fort Worth, and other fine food locations in Tarrant County.

Meanwhile, homeowners hoping to save their newly planted gardens stopped by Russell Feed & Supply on Monday looking for advice. "First call I got this morning was people seeing if we had any burlap so that they could cover their spring garden that they had already had in the ground," said Kevin Hansen of Russell Feed & Supply on Monday.

Residents were also advised to water their flowers and trees ahead of time. The ice can insulate the plants and create an igloo effect.

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