WEATHER: January 2003 brought significant rains to most localities during the first week with most areas receiving from one to two inches, except for the southeastern coast and extreme southern Peninsula which remained dry. Cold temperatures crept over the Peninsula during the first full week and stayed for most of the month bringing hard freezes and frosts as far south as the Everglades near the end of the month. Dry conditions for most of the month increased the danger for wildfires. Strawberry growers ran overhead sprinklers to form ice caps on plants as protection from the cold which saved some immature fruit and most plants. The freezing temperatures caused damage to some vegetables, especially in the Everglades region, with some minor supply shortages occurring and some acreage abandoned. Vegetable harvesting continued throughout January with snap beans, cabbage, celery, cilantro, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, miscellaneous herbs, parsley, peppers, radishes, squash, tomatoes and a very light supply of carrots marketed.

  Cool temperatures during the first half of February slowed the development of vegetables while dry, windy conditions lowered soil moisture supplies. Significant rains fell around mid-month and at the end. These showers replenished soil moisture in most northern and central Peninsula and most Panhandle localities but left some central and most southern Peninsula areas dry. Temperatures warmed during the last halfof February which boosted vegetable growth, especially in central and southern Peninsula localities. Potato digging started in the southern Peninsula about mid-month.

  During March, storms reduced the quality and yield prospects of some vegetables. Soggy soils slowed potato digging and caused some rot in some fields with most acreage adequately draining off the excess moisture. The wet fields slowed the preparation of land for watermelon and other vegetable planting in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula. Cabbage cutting neared the usual seasonal peak in mid-March as growers met the increased demand for the St. Patrick's Day holiday. Drier conditions for most of the month around Palmetto-Ruskin, Immokalee and Homestead permitted vegetable planting and harvesting to proceed with few delays. Strawberry picking slowed about mid-month as supplies from other States increased. Some snap bean growers stopped picking due to a poor market. Cold temperatures at the end of March singed some tender foliage in northern areas with most plants recovering well.

This report reflects conditions as of April 1 and represents acreage for harvest during the spring months of April, May, June, and July.

  The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast at 217,100 acres, up 2 percent from last year. Acreage decreases for snap beans, carrots, and head lettuce were more than offset by acreage increases for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet corn, cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Celery acreage remained the same. Melon acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 78,800 acres, up 1 percent from last year's comparable States. Cantaloup acreage is up 2 percent from a year ago. Honeydew acreage is unchanged. Watermelon acreage is down 1 percent from comparable States in 2002. Asparagus acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 59,000 acres, down 11 percent from last year. Strawberry acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 33,700 acres, up 4 percent from comparable States in 2002.

SNAP BEANS: Acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 23,000 acres, down 4 percent from last year. Florida growers are harvesting the winter acreage and will soon start on the spring crop. No major problems have been reported although some growers stopped picking around mid-March due to low prices. In Georgia, rains slowed land preparation and delayed spring planting. Growers expect to harvest fewer acres this spring.

CABBAGE: Acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 7,200 acres, up 1 percent from last year. Florida's crop is progressing well with no major problems reported. In Georgia, rains and wet soil slowed field preparations and delayed spring planting in many areas. Growing conditions for the early cabbage crop in New Jersey are favorable with recent mild temperatures and adequate topsoil moisture. Texas growers are having a very good season. Harvest began in some areas and crop quality is excellent.

SWEET CORN: Intended acreage for harvest is forecast at 38,000 acres, up 3 percent from last year's acreage. The California crop is doing very well and harvest in the Imperial Valley is expected to begin in early April, two weeks ahead of schedule. In Florida, mostly warm, wet weather prompted good growth and ear development.

CUCUMBERS: Spring harvested acreage is forecast at 5,800 acres, up 4 percent from 2002. Harvest of the Florida spring crop is underway. Recent rains and cool weather hurt quality and lowered expected yields. In Texas, fresh market, or slicer cucumbers continue to decline. However, conditions have been favorable this season.

BELL PEPPERS: Acreage for harvest is forecast at 8,800 acres, up 17 percent from 2002. Florida had mostly warm and wet weather during March which has promoted good growth and development although it did slow some planting activities. Texas bell pepper acreage is down due to competition from Mexico.

TOMATOES: Acreage for harvest is forecast at 28,900 acres, up 4 percent from 2002. In California, growers expect a good crop this season. Transplanting of seedlings started in late February and should continue through early April. No pest or disease problems have been reported thus far. Florida's warm temperatures during February and March helped growth and development. Recent heavy rains reduced yield prospects of some acreage, especially in the Palmetto-Ruskin region.

WATERMELONS: Acreage intended for harvest is forecast at 42,600 acres, down 1 percent from last year's comparable States. California's melon crop is progressing well with no major problems reported. Planting in Florida started in late February and early March with picking expected to begin in late May. Texas weather conditions have remained mild and damage was minimal from the freeze in February.

Vegetables for fresh market, prospective acreage for harvest, spring quarter by States, 2003 with comparisons
Selected crops and States	Usual harvest period	Spring acreage			2003 area for harvest as percent of 2002
		Harvested		For harvest 2003
		2001	2002
		Acres			Percent
SNAP BEANS:
Florida	Apr-Jun	13,000	13,000	13,000	100
Georgia	Apr-Jun	9,000	9,500	8,500	89
New Jersey	Jun-Jul	1,500	1,500	1,500	100
Total		23,500	24,000	23,000	96
CABBAGE:
Florida	Apr-Jun	2,000	2,000	1,800	90
Georgia	Apr-Jun	4,200	3,400	3,600	106
New Jersey	May-Aug	1,000	1,100	1,100	100
Texas	Apr-Jun	1,000	600	700	117
Total		8,200	7,100	7,200	101
SWEET CORN:
Florida 1/	Apr-Jul	25,600	26,000	26,000	100
California	Apr-Jun	10,500	11,000	12,000	109
Total		36,100	37,000	38,000	103
CUCUMBERS:
Florida	Apr-Jun	3,800	4,000	4,500	113
South Carolina	May-Aug	1,100	1,200	1,000	83
Texas	Apr-Jun	300	400	300	75
Total		5,200	5,600	5,800	104
EGGPLANT:
Florida 2/	Apr-Jun	400	--	--	--
BELL PEPPERS: 1/
Florida	Apr-Jul	6,800	7,000	8,400	120
Texas	Apr-Jun	400	500	400	80
Total		7,200	7,500	8,800	117
TOMATOES:
Florida	Apr-Jun	16,500	17,000	18,000	106
California	Apr-Jun	7,000	7,700	7,300	95
South Carolina	May-Aug	3,200	3,100	3,600	116
Total		26,700	27,800	28,900	104
WATERMELON:
Florida	Apr-Jul	24,000	23,000	23,000	100
Arizona 3/	May-Jul	5,100	5,100	--	--
California	Apr-Jun	2,800	2,900	3,100	106
Texas	Apr-Jun	22,000	17,000	16,500	97
Total		53,900	48,000	42,600	89
TOTAL OF CROPS LISTED
Florida		92,100	92,000	94,700	103
United States		161,200	157,000	154,300	98
TOTAL OF CROPS ESTIMATED
United States 4/		304,400	297,200	295,900	100
1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ Seasonal estimate discontinued in 2002. 3/ Seasonal estimate discontinued. Estimate to be published in January 2004 annual. 4/ Total of crops listed plus broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, escarole, head lettuce, cantaloups, and honeydew melons.