A series of essays….
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THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES ON OUR FRUIT CROPS |
John L. Russell from the A.P.
….as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E Hughes
The world calendar hosts a leap year in February adding one more day to a short month, but giving so many born on February 29th a full day to celebrate. A despicable, disgraced, and twice impeached ex-president demeans a young, talented, female pop star for encouraging everyone to register to vote. Punxsutawney Phil has spoken and predicts an early spring this year. Really? I guess there’s ‘no shadow’ for our particular ground hog this winter’s day.
What a crazy and mixed-up world we all live in. But, the most difficult thing I’ve observed lately are all of the budded-out trees that would, seemingly, predict an early spring even without seeing their own shadow. To see buds on the trees in the depth of winter should have all of us asking so many questions; keep us charged-up and fully attuned to the changing weather patterns.
The 2012 tart cherry crop was viewed as a disaster after freezing temperatures hit blooming trees in Michigan during April of that year. Almost every fruit crop in Michigan was frozen out when cold temperatures followed some eighty degree days in March. The cycle had been broken and all of us, but especially the farmers, were the sad recipients of this unwanted phenomena.
Driving down to spend our week on Sanibel Island, Florida, with our two young daughters gave us such joy and delight as we could, literally, cross the border from Georgia and know we were in the Sunshine State by seeing the row upon row of orange trees standing at attention. The orchards consumed the landscape and we loved the sight of their strength in numbers lining I-75 as if escorting us to our final destination.
Today, finding orange groves north of Orlando or even within the Orange County area is a distinct impossibility. Where beautiful groves once thrived, nurtured by the latest generation of farmers whose fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers (and for generations before them), depended on this juicy, prolific fruit for the livelihood of their families.
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A THRIVING FLORIDA ORANGE TREE |
According to Florida Memory, citrus trees arrived with European explorers in the 16th century and quickly took root in Florida. It wasn’t until the 1830’s that Florida developed a monopoly over cultivating citrus fruits. A devastating freeze in 1835 destroyed citrus growing efforts in the Carolinas and Georgia, beginning a permanent southward migration of the industry into Florida.
Little did we know, arriving in Florida ourselves in 1997 to reside there for over twenty-three years, that we would be seeing the demise of long established orange groves and a particular way of life in Florida—the very groves that ushered our small family into the State for so many memorable family trips from the late 1970’s and through most of the 1990’s!
Understanding that history often repeats itself, I can’t help but look up at the newly budded trees here in Western Michigan in late January and not feel the shiver moving up my spine for what once was and what is to be. I ask myself why it takes a near disaster before humans even attempt to divert it. It would be like playing the game of ‘chicken’ with billions of lives at stake, not to mention the animal and plant life, as well.
So, when you gift the one you love with a box of heart shaped chocolates this week and tell them how much they mean to you, keep in mind that their health and well-being should be included in your gift of love. Refresh the idea about just how much our warming temperatures influence nature and a natural way of life for all of us. Together, plan on the best way to make the necessary changes in habits and lifestyle in order to protect our precious resources.
I firmly hope that Michigan’s cherry and fruit crops do not fall to the wayside as did many of Florida’s orange groves these past couple of decades. Looking at the early tree buds and young sprouting daffodils in late January, early February, here in Michigan, concerns me a great deal. Let’s learn how to make good changes in order to protect a world that offers us sustainability, comfort, and an abundance of joy. Let’s strive to make a positive difference for the benefit of everyone, today and into the future.
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HOPE YOU ENJOYED A HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! |
Copyright © 2024 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
