WATCH: The hot and dry summer has made for a long growing season with many crops coming in weeks early. Monica Martinez reports.
Farming isn’t an easy business, and unpredictable weather is its ultimate boss.
Ryan Vantreight, general manager of Longview Farms said it’s always a challenge.
“My grandfather always said it was the rule of twos, it’s either too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry, so this year is an unusual hot and dry season,” he said.
But this hot and dry summer is good for farmers, with crops harvesting about three weeks early.
“Everything pretty much, you can put a blanket on it, has come earlier. So we scheduled everything to be planted in a certain time and come on in a certain time so when it comes early like this, it makes it challenging when you are expecting a certain amount for the season and double or triple that comes in,” he said.
Everything from cabbage which is usually ready in the fall, to leafy greens, corn and other veggies.
“It’s really good all the way around. As you can see behind me, the lettuce and all the produce is doing really well,” Vantreight said.
Over at Michell’s Farm, fall veggies like squash are ready for picking.
“It’s unheard of to pick squash this time of year, it’s usually a month later from now,” said Vern Michell.
Berries have also done well. The hot weather extending the growing season and improving the flavour.
“Because of the sunshine and warm temperatures, the flavour in the strawberries is excellent, apple flavours are very good, apples are early, strawberries very early,” he said.
But there are challenges that come with the dry weather.
“The only problem is with the drought conditions, we’ve had to use a tremendous amount of water this year to keep plants alive. We got used to the drought and the warm conditions last year. This year is not quite as bad,” Michell said.
What’s good for farmers is good for consumers who can buy local fall crops along with their summer fruits and veggies.
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