THUNDER BAY -- Cold weather, a lack of bees, a surprise July hail storm and pesky grubs have combined forces to cut this year’s local pumpkin crop in half.
Sue Gammond, owner of Gammondale Farms, called it a perfect storm, though added they should still have enough pumpkins harvested to keep customers in jack-o’-lanterns and pies through the Halloween season.
Gammond said the late arrival of spring weather delayed planting by about two weeks. Then, when the pumpkin plants bloomed, pollination became a problem after a nearby beekeeper lost about 90 per cent of their hives over the winter.
“And we did really have fewer heat units in August,” Gammond said. “All the crops in the valley are late. All the grain crops, corn crops, soy crops are all late.”
Gammond added they essentially saved what’s left of the crop by self-pollinating the plant, hiring several people to do it manually.
Gammond also said charities, like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the United Way, who receive annual pumpkin donations, have nothing to fear.
“They’ll still get their pumpkins,” she said.
Gammondale Farm is open to the public, as is nearby Belluz Farm, each weekend in October.
