Hail, Rain, and Wind
What a week!! Last weekend, the temperature dropped below freezing and
badly damaged some of the stems of my just planted pumpkins. On
Wednesday, storms went through northern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota
and caused havoc in the pumpkin patches. Pea sized hail was the first to
hit and it covered the ground. Downpours were next and that amounted to
5+ inches of rain. Today, the wind blew, blew, and blew. To top that
off, there is a possibility of another frost this evening. If the
pumpkins survive this week, they will be really hardy.
The pumpkins were covered by row covers held up by wire hoops. The hail
did not penetrate the row covers and did not damage the pumpkins. The
1009.5 Eaton 99 still looks the best.
The stream which goes by the pumpkin patch stayed within its banks, but
a half mile away where the stream meets the river, it was a different
story. The river was several feet over bank full and it caused me to
take some detours to the patch. All I can say is that I am extremely
glad that the patch was not flooded. Warm weather is now needed!!
The rain was needed, but not the hail, wind and frost.
George Heyne
Rochester, Mn.
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