Washington Oaks celebrates citrus

By Shanna Fortier
| 5:00 a.m. February 15, 2012

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

The annual Citrus Harvest Festival was held Saturday, Feb. 11, at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

The groves at the park were established in the late 1700s, and, when they acquired the property in 1936, Owen and Louise Young cultivated oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes.

This year has been one of the best years for the groves at the park, according to Park Ranger Melissa Kafel. She attributes that to warmer weather and a good fertilizing schedule.

When you buy and plant a citrus tree, Kafel recommends choosing a cold-hardy plant. Northeast Florida is prone to freezes, and the tree variety should be able to withstand the weather.