been growing citrus in vero beach for 50 years. it's a small family operation. they've done what they can to protect the crop. flooding the ground between each row of trees will keep the temperature up for a couple of degrees, that's all it might take to save the fruit. >> is it stays above freezing it can sweeten the fruit and be fine and help the season for us. but it's a fine line to walk, if it gets too cold, then you can definitely have some damage. >> reporter: the feared number is 28 degrees. below that for more than 4 hours would freeze the fruit right on the trees and could wreck florida's $9 billion a year citrus industry. strawberry growers are not in a good place either. the fields have been watered to allow an insulating coat of ice to form over the tender berries. >> nothing you can do but do your best to protect them and make the best out of it and say a few prayers to watch over them and keep going. >> reporter: perhaps a lot of prayers. even colder temperatures are expected by the weekend.