Caroline: Would you prefer a wet summer followed by a dry fall, or the reverse?

Dan: No contest. Wet summer followed by dry fall.

​

Agreed.

 

It has only rained once since August—twice if you count a light misting that lasted several hours. Farmers are always hoping for the perfect balance of sun and rain, of heat and cold, but we rarely get it. Instead, we get combinations of extremes. That said, some combinations are better than others. Between Dan and myself, there’s no doubt that this year’s combo—a very wet summer followed by a very dry fall—is preferable to the opposite. Fall is the season of harvesting and curing, but our tractor can’t dig potatoes in the mud, and onions don’t cure in 100% humidity. Plus, farmers who have been out in the elements all season have a lot less patience for wet feet. So while we never hope for a drought, if we have to get one, fall is the best time. Read more...