Another close call but most of our damage was to younger citrus trees. We had a few total losses, and a couple hundred severely leaning or with broke branches. Overall blessed compared to many farmers in Southwest Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
Pecan orchards, which took decades and generations to grow just leveled. Thousands of acres of cotton, peanuts, vegetables and more, experienced major crop loss. Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black fears over $1 billion in crop damage!
So it's all about perspective. The damage stung but thankful it wasn't worse. The team did a wonderful job staking trees straight and cutting damaged limbs. We even took advantage of having to work through the young fields, doing maintenance pruning and plucking stubborn pig weed while there.
Not to mention how beautiful it has been after the storm. Temperatures have dropped, and for the first time this year it felt like fall!
Now with cleanup behind us, our sights are set on harvest! We are in high gear with final preparations and planning. The early ripening Satsumas look as if they will start to be ready in about two weeks (Late October), followed by the bulk of the crop in November and December. Harvest 2018 countdown has begun, Franklin's Citrus Farm will see you soon!
