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Heavy rains dampening the outlook for some farmers but not others

Delaware Public Media

Delaware has seen some heavy rain recently, and there’s more in the forecast. That’s good for some First State farmers but not others.

On average, areas in Delaware have seen about 3 inches of rain the past week. That’s more than 75% above average for this time of year.

Some farmers growing grains in the state say they welcome the rain, especially after the long dry spell earlier this month.

But others growing fruits and vegetables, like Bridgeville’s Kevin Evans, say the long periods of rain and dry spells have damaged many of this year’s crops.

“Peak of the season as far as sweet corn, watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes and this weather here has taken the last six weeks’ worth of turning everything around and it’s taken a direct effect on the quality,” said Evans.

Evans adds sales are also down because during rainy weather fewer people barbeque.

He also says he lost an entire crop of strawberries earlier this year to heavy rains.

“We did everything we could. We had all of our ducks in a row. We had the perfect crop this spring—beautiful strawberries. Mother nature decided to drop eight and a half inches of rain in a three-day time period, four-day time period and we never recovered.”

Delaware harvested 28,000 acres of vegetables in 2015

Rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the rest of the work week into the weekend.

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