South Florida farmers worked Tuesday to prepare their crops from frigid temperatures as a freeze warning was issued for the area for the early-morning hours Wednesday.

A freeze warning is in effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday for inland Broward, inland and far south Miami-Dade, inland Palm Beach, coastal and inland Collier and mainland Monroe counties. Low temperatures are expected to dip into the upper 20s or lower 30s Tuesday night.

As most of South Florida prepared to spend the chilly night bundled up indoors, local farmers will brave the cold temps and brisk wind in the fields protecting their crops.

Sweet corn farmer John Alger doesn't expect it will get cold enough to damage his crops, some of which are nearly mature. His field is just a couple weeks away from harvest. But his crews are watering anyway, to keep the soil warm and make the plants a little more hardy to withstand the drop in degrees. 

He said at this stage of the growing game, the cold won't kill the corn, but weather-beaten ears will kill his profits. 

“That's what we battle,” Alger said. “I mean, it won't kill that plant to the point that it won't produce food, but if it's not perfect food, they won't buy it.” 

So far, the growing season has been good for local farmers. Temps have been mild to downright warm. That's helped an industry recovering from major cold weather losses in 2010 and a minor drop in commodity prices last year. 

State agriculture officials are hoping this will be one of the few brushes with freezing farmers will have to sweat out this season. 

“These growers do need to have a good season,” said Miami-Dade County Agricultural Manager Charles LaPratt. “Things haven't been great over the past few years and they need to maybe make some money this year." 

To other South Florida residents, the chilly temperatures meant they had to pull out the sweaters and coats.

Before the sun rose Tuesday, the cold weather was a harsh reality for Miami's homeless people, many of whom did not take shelter and slept bundled up on sidewalks. 

Meanwhile, there was no vacancy at Occupy Miami. Everyone was snuggled up inside their tents. The few brave souls out and about had to be prepared. 

"I got this jacket, this jacket, my school uniform, a long-sleeved shirt, and a T-shirt,” said Zoraida Iwakami, who was waiting for a bus. “It is too cold to be out here." 

Once the sun was up, the temperature moderated, but students at Beach High were bundled up in boots for the first day of school for 2012.

In Hollywood, residents trotted out their winter garb for the first time this season, and in Fort Lauderdale, they were doing their best to try and stay warm on their way to work. 

At David’s Cafe on Lincoln Road, the Cuban coffee was in high demand, and some were enjoying the cold snap. 

"My kids were excited this morning. They put a scarf on. They were excited for a little winter weather," said Ed Penafiel, who was drinking Cuban coffee to stay warm. 

They were definitely not wearing the normal south beach couture. 

On Lincoln Road, it wasn't quite cold enough to bust out the space heaters, but they will get some use Tuesday night. Temperatures are expected to be even colder.

Meanwhile, along wind-whipped Ocean Drive, people were fanning the flames and using space heaters. It didn't seem to bother the tourists, though. 

"The weather has dropped a little but compared to New York weather this is nothing," said Susan Kramer, of Long Island. 

"I am from Summersville, W. Va., and we were a little shocked. We thought it would be warmer, but back home we have about six inches of snow so we think it is pretty nice," said visitor Wayne Young. 

Along the beach, the wind was winding up the waves and a few brave souls wore shorts, but for Bam Bam the Neapolitan mastiff, who has natural layers of warmth the weather was fantastically frisky. 

"In fact, he is really excited about the cold weather,” said Bam Bam’s owner, Steve Jarbo. “For the first time in months he actually gets some energy and be outside."

Broward County declared a cold weather emergency from 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Wednesday. County representatives said homeless people can go to one of three locations by 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for transportation or access to cold night shelters: Pompano Beach City Hall at 100 W. Atlantic Blvd., on the southeast corner; The Salvation Army at 1445 W. Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale; or the Broward Outreach Center at 2056 Scott St. in Hollywood.