Saturday, July 18, 2009

Cool and Dry means Not Great for Veggies

Despite the drizzly conditions the last few days, the farm has seen very little precipitation in the last 6 weeks. We have only received 3 tenths of an inch since early June. Considering good plant growth requires about an inch of water a week, we are seriously under-watered right now. Every weather system containing precipitation has either just missed the farm, or dissipated before getting to us. We can irrigate the transplants with our drip system, and we do our best to keep moving the sprinkler on the direct seeded garden but nothing compares to a good, steady rain.
The field crop garden has no irrigation at all, and is dependent on rainfall to water the plants there.
Now that the blooms are on the peas, and potato's we really, really need rain in order for the plants to set their fruit.
Add to this the unseasonably cool weather we've had and plant growth is nowhere near what we've seen in the last 8 years. Normally our first CSA share would include Romaine lettuce, but our first heads won't be ready until this coming week, the fourth CSA share drop. We have had Broccoli as early as the second CSA share, this year it looks like it wont be until the fifth share, although there are a few heads starting to form now.
July has been downright cold, cold enough that we have had a few wood fires in the stove to drive the chill out of the house. We have never, ever had a fire in the house in the month's of July or August. Considering this is usually the hottest time of the year, when corn, melons and peppers are thriving, we're becoming concerned that some of those heat loving crops may not be ready before the first frost in fall.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's so unfortunate to see the farms suffer because of the weather! Keep up the great work, and don't worry...no one will be blaming you for the amount/quality of veggies this year. What a strange summer!

Madcap said...

Us too, here in north/central Alberta. Finally in the past few days its been hot, but very cool and dry throughout June, and the rains we've had aren't keeping water levels up at all.

Good luck, and I hope the water and warmth find you soon.

Julie said...

Matt,

Keep that gardening faith! Here in Pennsylvania my ground is bone dry. Same situation of very little rain, and what did fall missed our location entirely. Folks 10 miles away had 3"!!

Just keep working your plan, and planning your work..........what else can a CSA farmer do?

Julie

Matt and April said...

Thanks Anon, There's only so much we can do.

Hi Madcap, Good to see you commenting here. I've heard that there is quite a drought in your neck of the woods. I wish you timely rain!

Thanks Julie,
At least you had some rain in June (as i recall) but you're right, there is nothing to do but keep on farming and let the chips fall where they may.

Laura said...

Hi Matt and April,

I agree with Anonymous ... you have no control over the weather and no one can blame you for the issues you're having. We've barely had a Summer & from what I understand it's not going to get much better. Maybe a few more days of +30, but that's it. I'm going to do a rain dance for you and hope for rain and heat ... at least some kind of improvement! lol. Thanks, again, for all your hard work and dedication and for keeping us updated.

Laura

Matt and April said...

Thanks Laura, see the next post, rain dance was a success!!

Anonymous said...

Hello April and Matt, I have a meeting tomorrow evening, is there a way I can get the share for us here at Beendigen?