Cold Weather Hurts Crops
EASTERN OREGON - "The frost last night nipped my potatoes that were up real nice," said Hermiston farmer John Finley.
That's what happens when temps get down to nearly freezing in May.
John Finley is now covering his crops - which makes them grow more slowly. It's bad timing since the Pendleton farmers' market opens Friday.
a bad patch of crops could cost growers several thousand dollars as the season goes on. All thanks to the weather.
"The weather keeps changing and it is unstable. You can't tell what is going on from one day to the next," said Stanfield farmer Gus Wahner.
It's not just the cool air. This week's windstorm didn't help.
"The wind has been a huge factor. It has prevented me from doing all the growing I wanted. The wind wilts the plants too quickly," said Finley.
Gus Wahner says has one crop that actually thrives in cool conditions.
"Lettuce. They take the cold weather real well - a lot better than the heat," said Wahner.
But unfortunately - Gus' pear tree didn't fare as well.
"These won't produce fruit - and these ones here, I'll have to trim these back so they can get to full size again. Otherwise, there will be a problem," said Wahner.
John says the cold this spring has been a pain, but he's still trying to look on the bright side.
"It's been worse. Potatoes have been totally black. Some of mine have a little bit of green in them. Hopefully some can bounce back," said Finley.
That's what happens when temps get down to nearly freezing in May.
John Finley is now covering his crops - which makes them grow more slowly. It's bad timing since the Pendleton farmers' market opens Friday.
a bad patch of crops could cost growers several thousand dollars as the season goes on. All thanks to the weather.
"The weather keeps changing and it is unstable. You can't tell what is going on from one day to the next," said Stanfield farmer Gus Wahner.
It's not just the cool air. This week's windstorm didn't help.
"The wind has been a huge factor. It has prevented me from doing all the growing I wanted. The wind wilts the plants too quickly," said Finley.
Gus Wahner says has one crop that actually thrives in cool conditions.
"Lettuce. They take the cold weather real well - a lot better than the heat," said Wahner.
But unfortunately - Gus' pear tree didn't fare as well.
"These won't produce fruit - and these ones here, I'll have to trim these back so they can get to full size again. Otherwise, there will be a problem," said Wahner.
John says the cold this spring has been a pain, but he's still trying to look on the bright side.
"It's been worse. Potatoes have been totally black. Some of mine have a little bit of green in them. Hopefully some can bounce back," said Finley.
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