Agriculture

Farmers in Shelby County are asking for help getting their crops in this year – and it’s not just for people with strong backs either.

“If you know any rain dances…or go wash your car, or whatever,” said Leo Young, who operates a farm near Simpsonville. “I’m trying to stay upbeat, but we could use some rain.”

Recent scorching temperatures coupled with a dearth of moisture have combined to put the local growing season in possible peril.

Ag Commissioner Comer issues alert about crops, animal care

Knock on wood, please, because I may jinx myself by declaring publicly that my tomatoes look awesome. It is the healthiest set of plants and fruit that I can ever remember, honestly.

The plants are remarkably free of any pest problem, brown or yellowing leaf or rotting fruit. Most are heirloom varieties; they were fertilized once at planting with fish emulsion and immediately mulched with newspaper and pine straw.

I read somewhere that summer solstice marks the point that it is safe to harvest your garlic. By June 20 the garlic has “cloved-up” in this part of the country, but of course what happens before that date may give us a little wiggle room. This year I harvested on June 19, the earliest in memory, and the garlic looks good.