Monday high 65 with a 70% chance of thunderstorms, Tuesday high 70 with an 80% chance of Thunder storms, Wednesday high of 67 with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms. So says the weather report as I pack up my car for farmers' market dressed in flannel lined pants and a winter coat.
After last year's lack of rain and intense heat I though I would be glad to have some cooler and wetter weather. As it turns out cool wet weather brings its own challenges, namely slow growth and flooded fields. Turns out you can always add water, but removing it is a lot more difficult.
The cool weather has not been good for the heat-loving plants like peppers, tomatoes, and melons. That's not all bad news; the cool season plants like scallions, lettuce, and radishes have been thriving. The ground water and lakes are being replenished after years of drought. The cool weather has also been a blessing in disguise for weed control. I've never been on top of the weeds as well as I have this year.
That's the great thing about vegetable farming. Every year is a little different, some years you have really great tomatoes, some years great potatoes. I spread myself out with a large number of crops so while every year there are a few crops I loose I can always adjust what I plant and there are always a few things that do very well. As they say, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."
After last year's lack of rain and intense heat I though I would be glad to have some cooler and wetter weather. As it turns out cool wet weather brings its own challenges, namely slow growth and flooded fields. Turns out you can always add water, but removing it is a lot more difficult.
The cool weather has not been good for the heat-loving plants like peppers, tomatoes, and melons. That's not all bad news; the cool season plants like scallions, lettuce, and radishes have been thriving. The ground water and lakes are being replenished after years of drought. The cool weather has also been a blessing in disguise for weed control. I've never been on top of the weeds as well as I have this year.
That's the great thing about vegetable farming. Every year is a little different, some years you have really great tomatoes, some years great potatoes. I spread myself out with a large number of crops so while every year there are a few crops I loose I can always adjust what I plant and there are always a few things that do very well. As they say, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."