Storm of
July 22, 2008
Well, as farmers we are always subject to the weather, and know that the weather can make or break a season for us. We are always watching the latest weather reports--sometimes I wonder why, since there is really little we can do about it-- and I don't know if it's more or less stressful to know what is looming in the sky and fast approaching. The following pictures were taken the morning of Wednesday 7-23 after a severe thunderstorm the evening of 7-22. Most of our crops were affected by the high winds and heavy pelting rain. We don't give up hope of crops recovering---since we've experienced this before---nevertheless, it is still sad to walk through the rows that looked so beautiful just a day ago and see extensive bruising, tearing, and many crops blown over.
Tom took this picture from our front door...it was the only picture we
got, since it was too dangerous to step outside with all the lightning.
Notice the shade cloth on the greenhouse peeling back from the strong
winds. (Honestly, it felt like Hurricane Dolly veered from it's track and
made it up to Montana yesterday!)
In the morning, there were puddles and mud holes around...remnants of last
night's storm.
Our beautiful lettuce mix is now bruised pretty heavily. Some is salvageable...but
it is still disappointing to see.
Beans got knocked around and the leaves are bruised on these as well.
The poor delfino cilantro (above & below) was standing tall just
yesterday...now is as flat as a pancake.
The corn (above & below) is probably the most severely blown over. Now
starts the back breaking chore of trying to stand them upright again. They
are such shallow rooters that heavy winds really take their toll.
Leeks are leaning too.
Melon leaves are bruised and torn.
The watermelons got flipped over (we can at least now see the fruit,
though).
Many of the peas (above & below) have been blown right off the
trellising and are leaning to the east.
Peppers, too (above & below) are blown down.
Potatoes have been pushed over as well.
Above & below: Close-ups of squash leaves--tattered & bruised.
