As the moisture from last week's storm evaporates and the humidity rises we await the start of the next heat wave. "Hot" and "stormy" have definitely been the themes of summer so far. The question is often asked of how the extreme heat affects the crops. For the most part the heat is beneficial to the crops in the field. In cool wet conditions disease pressure is more prevalent and hot weather crops such as tomatoes and melons can suffer from late blight and downy mildew.  

This season we have seen the hot weather crops thrive, particularly the tomatoes. The heat promotes growth and helps prevent disease that often occurs with wet, gray days.  The Rushton Farm Staff is diligent in irrigation practices making sure to maintain soil moisture in the severe conditions. While the hot summer does cause complications with seed germination, may have an effect on the cold weather crops of the fall. We would prefer the dry heat to a wet season.

This of course does not mean the Rushton Farm Staff is not having their own issues with the heat. Water breaks and time in the shade may soon turn into popsicle breaks and swims in a nearby pool as summer continues. Kudos to our faithful interns who have endured with barely a whimper while at least one of our more experienced staff (i.e. yours truly) has taken to hiding in the walk in cooler.

-Fred