New Jersey Department Of Ag OKs Controlled Burning, Smudge Pots

 With temperatures in many parts of the state of New Jersey expected to approach freezing over the weekend into early next week, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Agriculture will allow growers to do controlled open burning or use smudge pots to protect flowering crops from frost damage.

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Forecasts call for near or below freezing conditions overnight Saturday, April 2 through Tuesday, April 5. The cold temperatures could affect fruit and vegetable crops, as well as flowers in bloom or near bloom. Peaches, blueberries, and apples are particularly susceptible. Frost damage now can significantly reduce yields of these crops later in the season.

According to Win Cowgill, fruit agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, peaches in New Jersey range from 60% full bloom to 10% to 30% in the northern part of the state. He says apples are at green tip to late ½ inch green in the western part of the state.

“The forecast is not looking good,” he says.With 67°F temp now in Hunterdon [NJ] and 70s tomorrow, that big of a temperature drop could be bad news for peach and plum flowers. Accuweather’s forecast for Pittstown [NJ] for Sunday is 26°F to 21°F. Apples may be OK, but it depends on how far along they are.”

The DEP and Department of Agriculture are allowing these steps through April 5 to protect farmers’ livelihoods and to ensure that consumers will be able to enjoy an ample supply of Jersey produce later this year.

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Growers who believe they will need to conduct open burns and/or use smudge pots must provide notice to the DEP’s 24-hour Communications Center at 877-927-6337.

 

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