Spring freeze spells trouble for crops

Guilford, Conn. (WTNH) - A hard spring freeze tonight could be trouble for farmers around the state.

At markets like Bishop's Orchards in Guilford, strawberry lovers are easy to find.

"I put them on ice cream, put them on pound cake, put them on everything," said Tom Klein of Branford.

But the strawberries for sale at Bishops right now have been shipped in. Their berry crop won't be ready for another month. In fact, with warmer than normal temperatures lately, the crop is on track for an early harvest.

But all that could change if temperatures dip too low tonight. Click here to check the Storm Team 8 forecast.

"On the whole, it's not unusual to get frost in May, it's unusual to have so many crops that face potential damage," explained Jonathan Bishop.

To protect their strawberries, Bishop's has an automatic irrigation system in place that alerts Jonathan if the temperature nears the freezing mark.

"As you constantly apply water in a light mist it's freezing and continuing to release heat. That can make a few degrees difference at the level where the crop is," he said.

A hard freeze could also damage peaches, pears, raspberries and apples.