"A couple of weeks ago one of the greenhouses flooded, with about an acre of lettuce in it which had been planted in November," explains Seamus Donnelly.
The water is now starting to recede a bit and Donnelly thinks that a week or so should see it all away, provided it doesn't rain heavily again.
"The water has gone down around seven inches but there is still so much water lying around in the fields. We are situated next to Lough Neagh which has been very high as well but it is now also receding," according to Donnelly.
He is not sure if the lettuce plants will survive, "It has never happened before so I just don't know," he comments. "When I first saw them under water I thought they would be completely ruined, but now we are not sure how they will fair."
The grower supplies supermarkets and is not sure if he will be able to meet the orders.
There was frost this morning but it hasn't really been cold so far which is a good thing for the plants. Donnelly obviously hopes the water will recede and the plants will keep on growing. They expect to harvest mid March.
For more information:
Seamus Donnelly
Donnelly Horticulture
Tel: +44 28 3885 1336
+44 28 3885 1336Email: info@donnellyhorticulture.com