With low temperatures dropping into the high 20s this week, South County almond farmers are going to be busy working overtime doing everything in their power to stave off the potential hard freeze that could damage the potential bumper crop of almonds that have already bloomed. While for many it will be a wait-and-see approach, farmers who have the tools at their disposal will be doing something that may seem unconventional to try and keep the precious buds from being damaged – spraying water. According to local almond farmer Dave Phippen, growers that have access to a deep water well, a pump and a sprinkler system will likely be spraying a certain amount of water to try and release the British Thermal Units, or BTUs, contained within that have the potential to raise the temperature a few degrees – or just enough to stave off the hard freeze long enough for the sun to come out.