Pumpkin Crop Squashed by Weather
For farmers in Central and Northeast PA, their pumpkin crop may be in some trouble because of the weather patterns we experienced in August. Due to a four week long dry spell, pumpkin crops in places are much smaller and it could lead to a higher cost for your pumpkin this Fall.
Brian Campbell, who grows 220 acres of pumpkins in Columbia County, said the lack of rain in August occurred when pumpkin plants pollinate. A lack of rain prohibits pollination, which means fewer pumpkins in the field, he said.
“Because of that, we didn’t see the yield we normally do in the northeast,” Campbell said. “Pumpkins will be short on supply and they will cost maybe an extra dollar each.”
Drums farmer Len Burger planted 5 acres of pumpkins this summer to sell at his stand. They have a good shape and strong stems, he said, but like Campbell’s, Burger’s fields produced less this year.
The summer and early-fall weather represented some challenging conditions for pumpkin growers, Burger said.
“The dry spells in the summer kept the yield down a bit, and then we had wet weather. If you didn’t spray them, that dampness will bring blight and disease,” he said.
Brian Campbell, who grows 220 acres of pumpkins in Columbia County, said the lack of rain in August occurred when pumpkin plants pollinate. A lack of rain prohibits pollination, which means fewer pumpkins in the field, he said.
“Because of that, we didn’t see the yield we normally do in the northeast,” Campbell said. “Pumpkins will be short on supply and they will cost maybe an extra dollar each.”
Drums farmer Len Burger planted 5 acres of pumpkins this summer to sell at his stand. They have a good shape and strong stems, he said, but like Campbell’s, Burger’s fields produced less this year.
The summer and early-fall weather represented some challenging conditions for pumpkin growers, Burger said.
“The dry spells in the summer kept the yield down a bit, and then we had wet weather. If you didn’t spray them, that dampness will bring blight and disease,” he said.
