An unusually rainy start to the year has thrown off planting schedules and crop growth at Evans Orchard.
Owner Kevan Evans explained that excessive moisture has made it difficult to get into the fields. Sweet corn planting, typically done every two weeks, has become erratic due to the wet conditions.
Tomatoes have also struggled with limited sunlight, slowing their growth. "They were just sitting there aging until we finally got a few days of sun last week, and then they took off," Evans said.
Strawberries have been affected too—ripening unevenly, with altered flavor and a shorter shelf life due to being waterlogged.
Evans said apples and strawberries are also at higher risk of disease. What the farm needs now, he emphasized, is more sunshine and dry weather to get back on track.
Source: www.wkyt.com