A late-season cold snap is raising concerns for farmers across Pennsylvania — including right here in Erie County. As temperatures once again dip into the 30s, local greenhouses are racing to protect thousands of flowers and plants from the cold.
Waiting until after Mother’s Day to plant has long been considered the safe bet in our region, but even now, Erie County growers say they’re not out of the woods yet.
At Mason Farms, employees spent the evening covering flowers and monitoring temperatures in an effort to prevent the kind of freeze damage that has already devastated farms across the state. Rows of colorful blooms may look ready for spring, but behind the scenes, crews are preparing for conditions that feel more like winter.
And it’s not just flowers at risk. Crops across Pennsylvania have already taken a major hit from freezing temperatures this year. State officials estimate April’s freeze caused between 150 and 200 million dollars in agricultural losses across parts of the Commonwealth.
Now, local growers like John Mason Jr. are hoping extra precautions will help save what’s left of the season. After more than 40 years in the business, Mason says nights like these mean staying up late, watching temperatures closely, and tracking the forecast hour by hour.
As crews work to move flowers inside, Mason says homeowners can take precautions too — covering plants with old sheets or, when possible, bringing flowers and potted plants indoors until the cold snap passes.