Heat and humidity are creating bumper crops of peaches at Linvilla Orchards and Indian Orchards Farm, both in the Media area, but it’s also bringing wet soil, fungal diseases, and unpredictability.
The Philadelphia area saw 6.22 inches of rain this May. That’s far above average, and it was followed by high temperatures in June, the warmest on record dating back to 1872.
But longer summers and variable weather patterns have made it hard for farmers to get a feel for what’s normal, writes Denali Sagner for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Farmers in this region normally plan for gentle spring precipitation easing into summer, not excessive rain.
Jackson Buttery, farm manager at Indian Orchards Farm, said he and his team are “a bit worried about rot and fungus in the garden” this season, mainly from fire blight, which can cause severe damage to apple trees, one of the farm’s biggest crops.
Linvilla is doing great with its peach crops this year, but it’s also making weather adjustments for visitors, staff, and crops, according to Linvilla administrative assistant Sarah Linvill.
Farm workers and tourists pick fruit in the fields in the early morning hours, and there are extra water bottles.
Find out more about weather impacts at these two Media orchards in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
