Heavy Rains Begin to Fall in SE United States Desert Growing Regions

Rain began pouring in the desert growing regions last night with an outlook extending the showers through the next 24 hours. Growers tell us it is still early to tell if it will create any major complications. More than anything it seems that it caught many growers by surprise.

"The rain has curtailed our harvest for iceberg today but some of the other crews are able to work. Mexico harvests were also affected and unable to work today. We will have to see if it is significant enough to cause problems through the weekend." Merritt Bruce, Vice President of Sales, Growers Express, tells AndNowUKnow.

A majority of the companies in the Yuma area are harvesting or have planned to start harvesting leaf lettuce this weekend, with cauliflower, broccoli, green onions, bunching items, and other leaf varieties just around the corner.

Coastline's Mark McBride, Sales Professional, tells us, "It has rained (and is continuing to rain) in all desert areas: Yuma has picked up .36” so far at the airport. According to NOAA, Phoenix had 1.22"!! The rain will curtail some harvest in the greater Yuma area today due to fields that are impassable. We will get back in to fields Saturday morning, but the going will be slow & sloppy with the muddy conditions. Forecast is for possibility of additional showers today, tonight & Saturday. It’s going to be a long weekend! Only time will tell."

Ernst Van Eeghen, Director of Marketing & Product Development, Church Brothers / True Leaf Farms, tells us, "The rains will most likely affect startup productivity but we have a fairly solid overlap for times like these. Church Brothers is already harvesting items from lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower to kale, springmix and romaine. This is the time of year when the weather is a bit tricky. No matter how much we prepare and anticipate, we are always at the will of mother nature.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more information on the desert growing regions as the season progresses.