Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist; gcjohn@udel.edu
Plasticulture strawberry growers reported significant damage to early blooms during the cold snap between March 27-29, even with heavy weight floating row covers in place. Temperatures as low as 21°F were recorded in some locations. When temperatures at flower level have the potential to drop below 30°F for extended periods under row covers, then a combination frost protection approach of row covers combined with sprinklers is needed to avoid freeze losses.