WEATHER: Several cool fronts passed over Florida during the months of January through March. Killing frosts oc curred in some northern areas but most cold temperatures were of short duration and were quickly followed by mild and warmer weather. A lack of rain persisted over most areas causing most growers to irrigate often. Temperatures overall were above normal for most of the three month period.

SNAP BEANS: The snap bean crop enters the harvest season in good to very good condition. Harvesting is active at this time. Planting is winding down.

CABBAGE: All of the cabbage crop is planted. Harvest is active in all major growing areas. The warm winter caused cabbage to mature faster than expected so harvest season will end earlier this year.

SWEET CORN: Dade County growers finished planting by late December with harvesting underway by late month. Cool temperatures slowed plant growth and ear development in early January with warmer weather aiding ear develop ment during the rest of January and most of February and March. In mid-January, spring crop acreage was in good condition around Lake Okeechobee. East Coast growers started picking winter crop acreage in late January with crates averaging 48 to 52 ears each. Zellwood producers began planting a limited spring crop acreage on the higher sandy soils away from Lake Apopka during late February with activity completed by mid-March. Harvesting of the spring crop in the Everglades region started during late March and early April.

CUCUMBERS: Cold temperatures in the 30s during early January caused significant damage to the winter crop with growers making salvage harvests of fruit for a few weeks following the bad weather. East Coast producers continued spring crop planting in January, February, and March with oldest acreage blooming and setting fruit by mid-to-late February. Growers in west central and southwestern locali ties began spring crop planting in mid-to-late January with activity finished by mid-March. Warm weather during most of February and March boosted plant growth and fruit development in all areas. East Coast growers covered some acreage for protection from cold temperatures in late February as picking got underway. Strong winds in mid-
March caused no significant damage. West Central producers started harvesting after mid-March.

EGGPLANT: Weather and growing conditions have been fair to good for eggplant during the early and late parts of the winter growing season. Overall growth and development have been mostly good and harvest is currently underway. Quality is mostly good. Plants that will be harvested during the Spring season look good at this time.

ESCAROLE-ENDIVE: The crop escaped significant damage when strong winds and cool temperatures arrived in early January. Mostly warm and dry weather throughout the rest of January and in February and March boosted plant growth. Harvesting continued around Lake Okeechobee with a steady volume available for the spring production.

BELL PEPPER: Cold temperatures in early January burned some leaves in the southwestern area with the following warmer weather aiding plant recovery. West Central growers finished fall crop harvesting in early January as picking continued in the Southwest and East Coast regions. West Central producers started spring crop planting around mid-January. Southwest growers finished planting in late February. Transplanting in the East Coast region remained active into late March as West Central growers finished. Harvesting in the Southwest and East Coast areas remained active throughout January, February, and March.

TOMATOES: Palmetto-Ruskin growers started spring crop transplanting in early January as fall crop harvesting finished. Dade County growers completed planting in late December. Transplanting in the Southwest ended about mid-February while East Coast producers continued planting until early March. Growers in the Quincy area started planting by mid- March. Cold temperatures in early January slowed crop development with some foliage suffering wind burn. Warmer temperatures during the rest of January and in February and most of March aided plant recovery. Cool temperatures during early March slowed fruit maturation and improved fruit set and sizing. Palmetto-Ruskin growers finished transplanting by late March.

WATERMELONS: The southern crop is planted and in fair to good condition. In central areas, planting is active. In the north, land preparations are active and planting is about ready to start. Soil conditions have been dry for dryland.

    The prospective area for harvest of 13 selected fresh market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast at 232,800 acres, up 1 percent from last year. Acreage increases in broccoli, cauliflower, celery, head lettuce, and tomatoes more than offset decreases in snap beans, cab bage, carrots, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, esca role/endive, and bell peppers. Acreage for spring harvest of 3 selected melons is estimated at 112,800 acres, up slightly from last year. Cantaloups and honeydews showed increases from 1998 while watermelons showed a decrease. Aspara gus acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 73,100 acres, up slightly from last year and 2 percent greater in 1997.

BELL PEPPERS: In mid-January, West Central producers started spring crop planting. Southwest growers finished planting in late February.
TOMATOES: Intended acreage for harvest is forecast at 28,250 acres, up 8 percent from 1998. California acreage is up from last year and field operations have been progress ing normally. The Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys (where most of the tomatoes are grown) have experienced good rainfall. Imperial Valley on the other hand, has had low rainfall and cool temperatures which will slow development. In Texas, the crop looks good for areas that have been planted. For other areas, planting has been delayed because January and February were abnormally warm and very dry.

WATERMELONS: Acreage intended for harvest is estimated at 65,300 acres, down 7 percent from last year. Arizona producers have benefitted from excellent growing conditions during the first quarter of 1999. In California, conditions were favorable at the beginning of the season, but recent cool temperatures in March have slowed crop development. A delay of about 7 days is expected.

Vegetables for fresh market, prospective acreage for harvest, spring quarter by States, 1999 with comparisons.
Selected crops and States	Usual harvest period	Spring acreage			1999 area for harvest as percent of 1998
		Harvested		For harvest 1999
		1997	1998
		Acres			Percent
SNAP BEANS:
Florida	Apr-Jun	13,000	15,000	14,000	93
Georgia	Apr-Jun	4,500	6,200	6,500	105
New Jersey	Jun-Jul	1,100	1,300	1,300	100
South Carolina	May-Aug	1,300	1,100	1,100	100
Total		19,900	23,600	22,900	97
CABBAGE:
Florida	Apr-Jun	3,000	2,300	1,600	70
Georgia	Apr-Jun	3,500	4,000	4,000	100
New Jersey	Jun-Jul	1,000	1,000	900	90
Texas	Apr-Jun	1,100	1,200	800	67
Total		8,600	8,500	7,300	86
CARROTS:
Florida	Apr-Jul	2,400	1,500	--	--
California	Apr-Jun	20,000	25,000	24,000	96
Texas	Apr-Jun	500	1,300	1,700	131
Total		22,900	27,800	25,700	92
SWEET CORN:
Florida	Apr-Jul	31,800	28,900	26,400	91
California	Apr-Jun	10,800	12,300	11,800	96
Total		42,600	41,200	38,200	93
CUCUMBERS:
Florida	Jan-Jun	6,700	5,700	5,200	91
South Carolina	May-Aug	1,000	1,200	1,200	100
Texas	Apr-Jun	600	600	600	100
Total		8,300	7,500	7,000	93
EGGPLANT:
Florida	Apr-Jul	700	700	500	71
ESCAROLE/ENDIVE:
Florida	Apr-Jul	600	600	350	58
New Jersey	May-Aug	400	400	400	100
Total		1,000	1,000	750	75
BELL PEPPERS: 1/
Florida	Apr-Jun	7,500	7,300	6,600	90
Texas	Apr-Jun	300	300	400	133
Total		7,800	7,600	7,000	92
TOMATOES:
Florida	Apr-Jul	13,100	13,800	14,200	103
Alabama	Jun-Jul	600	300	300	100
Arkansas	Jun-Aug	550	700	750	107
California	Apr-Jun	7,800	6,800	7,800	115
South Carolina	May-Jul	3,200	3,200	3,600	113
Texas	Apr-Jun	1,300	1,400	1,600	114
Total		26,550	26,200	28,250	108
WATERMELON:
Florida	Apr-Jun	30,000	32,000	31,000	97
Alabama	Jun-Jul	2,100	2,200	2,300	105
Arizona	May-Jul	6,500	7,300	6,500	89
California	Apr-Jun	4,600	4,400	4,500	102
Texas	Apr-Jun	27,800	24,500	21,000	86
Total		71,000	70,400	65,300	93
TOTAL OF CROPS LISTED
Florida		108,800	107,800	99,850	93
United States		209,350	214,500	202,900	95
TOTAL OF CROPS ESTIMATED
United States 2/		337,750	342,400	345,600	101
1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ Total of crops listed plus broccoli, cauliflower, celery, head lettuce, cantaloups, and honeydew melons.