Pumpkin problems: Alberta’s wet summer affecting annual crop
Pumpkin patch owners in northern Alberta are looking at unprecedented options, like charging admission, or shipping in pumpkins, as the wet summer wreaks havoc on their crops.
Alberta is facing an unusual wet summer that is impacting pumpkin crops, which are a key part of the province's agricultural economy. Kate de Windt, co-owner of Somerset Farms in Parkland County, explains that the unusual weather has been challenging for her farm, with 33 cm of rain in July alone. The farm usually grows 67 varieties of pumpkins and produces around 25,000 fruits annually, but this year, the crops are about a month behind and many pumpkins are still covered in leaves, making them difficult to spot.
De Windt is concerned about the impact on her farm's revenue, as the pumpkins are crucial for paying for next year's crops. She discusses the possibility of ordering pumpkins from further south or even hosting a pumpkin smash if the current crop is deemed unusable. A similar situation exists at Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm, about 100 km northeast of Somerset Farms.
Owner Tam Andersen says their highlight, the corn maze, has also been affected, as it is currently only six inches to a foot tall. They have had to abandon their annual sunflower crop and the haunted pumpkin festival, a 40-year tradition. Despite the challenges, de Windt and Andersen hope that Albertans will still come to support local farms, even if the conditions are less than ideal.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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