OUTCOMES FROM A COLD, RAINY SPRING

The Salinas growing region continues to face challenges from the cool, rainy weather this spring. To be more specific: water-soaked leaves and high humidity, without adequate sunlight to dry everything out, creates the conditions for slow growth, along with various fungal and bacterial plant diseases. We saw powdery mildew affecting Leaf Lettuces and many rusting Romaine Hearts. Tender leafy greens like Arugula are showing discoloration and yellowing. Baby Spinach supply is tight due to slow growth. We continue to see bacterial blight affecting Celery. Growers have reported widespread Anthracnose, a bacterial disease that affects Romaine and other crops.

Such weather conditions have lead to challenges across the produce industry. Blueberry plants need adequate sunlight hours and heat to produce high-quality fruit in full supply. Avocado yields are down this year due to bloom rot: when trees produce an abundant set of flowers (avocados-to-be), but the blooms are subsequently damaged by weather extremes. Asparagus supply can fluctuate dramatically week to week, based on heat units in the region. Late rains can have drastic effects on the Cherry crop: moisture can settle in the stem bowl, causing rot and splitting.

Farmers are doing everything they can to grow high quality produce, but many of these dynamics are unavoidable features of a cold, rainy spring in California. These effects are industry wide, though organic growers are at a marked disadvantage because they cannot apply most synthetic fungicides and pesticides (just as we like it – check out the Rodale Institute to learn more). Prices have been high and supplies have been limited. Continued warm, dry weather will help move plants in the right direction!