“Pumpkin-patch dampener” – Lowell Sun
“Farmers have dealt with a tough pumpkin-growing season this summer caused by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Irene, a delay in planting the crops in late May because of wet fields and a rainy summer, which has resulted in smaller crops.
Dave Dumaresq, of Farmer Dave’s in Dracut, said his pumpkin crops are decent — not good, but not horrible either.
“We’ve had bad years before and we’re going to have bad years again,” said Dumaresq. “It’s natural New England weather. You never know when you’re going to have a bumper crop or a horrible crop.”
“Area farmers buoyed by bounty” – Lowell Sun
Last year, farmers faced the opposite problem as they struggled to keep their fields from becoming cracked, dry and dusty under the strain of drought.
David Dumaresq, owner of Brox Farm in Dracut, said he was hit hard by last year’s drought and was forced to continually drain his ponds just to provide enough water to his fields.
“Last year was one of the worst droughts I’ve ever seen,” said Dumaresq, who grew up farming and has owned his farm for 13 years.
This year, he’s hopeful and happy with his early harvest, which includes strawberries, spinach, garlic scapes, lettuce, kale, beets and radishes.
Read the full article from the Lowell Sun.