Well, last week’s rain certainly made its presence known! While the water table was in need of a good boost, it reminded us once again of Mother Nature's unpredictable ways.
I made a vow long ago not to curse the rain; after all, it’s a gift when it arrives, but sometimes the timing and intensity bring their own set of challenges.
The Fungal Fiasco: What’s Happening with Our Tomatoes and Squash?
The rain has provided the perfect conditions for some unwelcome guests in our fields—fungus. For our tomatoes and squash, this is particularly concerning. Here’s how the rain contributes to fungal growth:
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Increased Moisture: Fungi thrive in moist environments. When rain saturates the soil and foliage, it creates the perfect conditions for fungal spores to germinate and spread.
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Humidity Trapping: The damp weather, especially with the heat of mid-summer, raises humidity levels around the plants. This humid microclimate is ideal for fungal diseases like powdery mildew on squash and early blight on tomatoes.
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Soil Splash: Heavy rain can cause soil to splash onto the lower leaves of plants. If the soil contains fungal spores, this splash can transfer them onto the plants, where they quickly take root and spread.
Three Reasons Why Tomatoes Don’t Like Too Much Rain
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Root Rot: Tomatoes are particularly sensitive to waterlogged soil. When their roots sit in overly wet conditions, they can develop root rot, which compromises the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.
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Cracking Fruit: Excessive rain can cause tomato fruits to absorb too much water too quickly, leading to cracking. This not only affects the appearance but also makes the fruit more susceptible to rot and pests.
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Blight Risk: Too much moisture can lead to an increase in blight, a common fungal disease in tomatoes. Blight can devastate a tomato crop, turning healthy plants into shriveled, blackened stems and leaves.
We’re always working hard to mitigate these challenges and ensure that your CSA shares are as bountiful and healthy as possible.
While we can’t control the weather, we can adapt and respond to what Mother Nature sends our way.
Now let's make some pesto so we can put that gorgeous crop to good use before the fungus eats it up lol.
CLICK HERE for an amazing and EASY basil pesto recipe
Again, we are thankful for the rain....
And especially we are thankful for your continued support, we look forward to bringing you more fresh, delicious produce you love, rain or shine.
Fruit Share this Week: Honeycrisp Apples
Cheese Share: Colby
Flower Share: no flowers this week. Next week is the last week.
Warmly,
lisa and the osf crew
