Too Hot and Dry for May

Where did spring go? For the past week or so it's felt more like mid-summer. In addition to the high temperatures, it's been 2.5 weeks since we've had a good rain on the farm, no rain is forecast until maybe Friday, and with all these days in the 90s crops are very very thirsty. We've spent a lot of time setting up and connecting irrigation. As of now we're almost caught up and have been able to provide a drink to most of the crops. Certain crops, like potatoes which occupy way too much field space to add water to (unless we're really desperate and also have ample time), will probably have to wait until the rain for a drink. The top growth of the potatoes (which looks just like a tomato plant) only recently broke through the surface of the soil and the roots/tubers aren't bulking up just yet. Even during this 'drought' the tops have continued to actively grow. A new patch of rhubarb, also without water so far, grows like it doesn't have a care in the world. New blackberry transplants, u-pick flowers, and the herb garden also await a drink, biding their time. Crops transplanted two weeks ago that are still alive and actively growing are a testament to the wonders of the plant world and perhaps the health of our soils and north facing slopes.