HASTINGS, Fla.—Potato crops in Hastings and East Palatka took a hit when freezing temperatures moved through the area Sunday night Feb. 17 and Monday morning.

That's made it a long couple of cold days for potato farmer Danny Johns of Blue Sky Farm in Hastings.

"Saturday night, we were on the tractor until 3 a.m. and last night we were on the tractor and got in about 2 o'clock," Johns recalled.

Johns and his crew worked to cover and protect his potatoes from the freeze. Some of the plants were covered with dirt.

He also used covers that look like big blankets on some potatoes because freezing weather is fatal.

"We got in the low to mid 20s last night," Johns noted.

SOURCE: Jessica Clark, First Coast News

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/298645/483/Freeze-smacks-Floridas-potato-crop--