Until recently we had had just three light showers since the hailstorm of June 5th—each one giving us under a quarter inch of rain. Our dry spell began in April, and we’d been irrigating ever since. ry season’s have their upsides. uring last year’s wet season, the Swiss chard and kale suffered from foliar diseases; in this dry year they are doing wonderfully. Last year’s weather also allowed diseases to move into our tomato and pepper plantings. So far, they too appear healthy. But weeds, which seem to do well under all conditions, have evolved to do especially well in droughty weather. Many weeds are C-4 plants, having the ability to close their stomata during the day, conserving water without compromising photosynthesis. This adaptation enables them to outperform our less competitive vegetables during dry conditions. While a field of vegetables needs an inch of rainfall every week to grow well, weeds seem to thrive even during extended droughts.
Last summer we had a well drilled by a family of Vermonters who used a dowsing stick to find the best spot to drill, and they gave us a well with an astounding 100 gallons of water per minute to work with. Because the season was so rainy, however, we rarely used the water. We vegetable growers, being a superstitious bunch, are convinced that the rain won’t fall until the irrigation system is set up. Not so, it turns out. Over the winter, we purchased an irrigation reel from a ginseng grower in Wisconsin. These units sell for over $10,000 new, but I found mine for $1,500. Although I’m still trying to get it to work properly—bellows mechanisms, ratchets, valves, and booster pumps have each given me challenges—we nevertheless have a good working system. And still no rain. Until now.
At last, yesterday, we had a long, soaking rain, and were given a break from the pleasure of dragging irrigation pipes around the farm. The boys watched a movie, Jan went to the barn to bunch larkspur, and I took a nap. The rain was a gift. It came with thunder and lighting, however, and one nearby crash sent the crew scrambling. They found Jan in one of the greenhouses with her hair frizzed out. They said they could smell the electricity. Hail season isn’t over yet. The storm that delivered a gentle rain here, brought hail to a neighboring CSA, ruining many of their crops. Rich Moses, the farmer who grows our sweet corn, said he’d never seen a growing season with more local reports of hail.
This week’s share includes Asian cucumbers, scarlet red turnips, a choice of Swiss chard and various Asian greens, scallions, lemony herbs, and spinach or broccoli. Fruit shareholders will get what are probably the last of this season’s cherries. Squashes and broccoli should be part of next week’s shares.
Have a good week,
Ted Blomgren
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