A VINE IN TIME?

As October rolls around, I can't help but think back to my days on the family farm. I always looked forward to our big Halloween parties. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends would pile into our old shop/barn for good, old-fashioned fun. We would bob for apples, roast hot dogs, play games, and take "haunted" hay rides. At the center of our holiday decor, you would always find a wide variety of pumpkins. Funny how I never really thought about it much as a kid, but the weather had a lot to do with those pumpkins...

You may have noticed stories in the media about pumpkin shortages this year. Indeed, pumpkin crops have been rather dismal nationwide. The pumpkin itself is fairly resilient, but successful crops are a matter of timing. Pumpkins require adequate rainfall early in their growth cycle for proper development. Indeed, the weight of a pumpkin is often determined by the amount of water they contain.

Many pumpkin-growing states suffered through drought conditions as a result of stagnant weather patterns earlier this year, limiting the overall yield. But sometimes, too much rain can be just as damaging. Late season tropical systems are notorious for bringing excessive rains to southeastern states. As pumpkins mature on the vine, excess water collects easily in poorly ventilated areas. Unless the pumpkins are rescued quickly, they essentially rot in the field due to the excess moisture.

Many local farmers had disastrous crops in the late 90's as hurricane activity increased in the Carolinas. Of course, the largest pumpkin producing states of Illinois and Ohio are largely spared from tropical systems. But the extreme fluctuation of weather patterns nationwide this past year have resulted in a slimmer harvest across the board.

But don't worry. There will still be enough pumpkins for your jack-o-lantern carving activities. But they will likely cost you a few extra dollars this year...