Hot! Hot! Hot! Only days ago we were all moaning about the gray glum and rain, and now, look at the world- sunny, blue skies, and dry earth- woohoo! Aside from the emotional, mental and suntan impact the weather has on us farmers, early summer excessive rain or sun can set the course for the rest of the season.

Effects of rain
Pros:

• Irrigates the crops for free
• Helps crop roots get deeply established, which reduces susceptibility to disease and pest pressure later
• Reduces aphid, flea beetle and other pest pressure

Cons:

• Makes it impossible to weed, resulting in weedy fields for months
• Those weeds go to seed, resulting in weedy fields for years
• Compacts the soil, reducing nutrient availability
• Tractors can’t operate without damaging soil structure further, so we are stuck trying to decide do we prioritize this year’s success or long term soil health
• Increases wire worm pressure
• Increases fungal disease

Effects of sun
Pros:

• Plants love the sun! They grow fast
• Fruit crops build up the heat units they need to have higher yields
• The soil warms, making seed germination faster
• Weeding is effective

Cons:

• Crops need supplemental irrigation
• Increases aphids and flea beetle populations
• Weeds grow fast along with the crops

Obviously the perfect weather is a blend of rain and sun, but given the choice, us farmers like summer sun more than rain. With the sun, we get to be in charge of when ground is wet and gives us a chance to do all the tasks we can only do when the soil is not saturated. But alas, we roll with the weather that comes our way, finding the benefit in whatever it is and mitigating the disadvantages. I think we all can agree, this weather is glorious!

~Karyn