Hot weather helps corn crops after tough start to growing season
It's been a roller coaster growing season for local farmers, who say an unusually cold, wet spring followed by extreme heat made for a challenging start, especially for crops like strawberries.
"It's been a tricky one this year," said Calder Murphy of Murphy's Farm Market and Bakery in Alliston.
Despite the rocky start, farmers are seeing signs of optimism as key crops, like corn, start to ripen.
Murphy, who uses plastic sheeting to help insulate his soil, says that technique paid off during the unpredictable weather.
'It looks like this patch is going to be ready in probably a week to a week-and-a-half, and it's looking good,' Murphy added.
In Severn Township, Hewitt's Farm is experiencing a similar pattern. While its corn is a bit behind schedule, owner Trevor Hewitt said the recent stretch of hot weather could help speed things up.
'Between our earliest start date and our latest start date is probably three weeks, which is a big difference this year. I want to say we are probably a week behind at this point if we keep getting the 30 or 35 degree weather,then we could catch you,' Hewitt noted.
Both farmers said the ideal forecast going forward would include more warm days and just enough rainfall to keep the soil hydrated. That combination, they said, would be the best recipe for sweet, table-ready corn.
Up next on the farm calendar: pumpkins and squash. If the weather cooperates, those fall favourites should arrive right on time.
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