After church today, most of us headed to the grocery store or to Lowe’s to stock up on last minute supplies for the incoming storm. For the farmer, a winter storm at this time of year, means anxious moments studying weather models. Snow storms mean one thing, ice and bitterly low temperatures could spell disaster for the upcoming year. For Joni Kennedy of Melon Head Farms in Clarkesville, the impending storm, “Octavia” meant a busy Sunday of moving tender seedlings of tomatoes into a warm basement, covering other crops with cloth and adding yet another layer of fabric over hoop houses. “Snow is good” notes Kennedy. Snow can act as a protection against low temperatures. Temps below 4 degrees and ice mean tender buds may be killed and thereby the whole season’s crop.
Some crops, such as kale and spinach, are considered cold weather crops and are planted in early spring and late fall. These crops can withstand a winter blast, but future growth may be slowed as the plants recover. Other crops such as strawberries are putting out buds and even some beginnings of the luscious fruit. A cold snap with good protection may save the plants, but a prolonged period of below 20 degree temps or a coating of ice, can kill the budding fruit. The plant will likely recover, but the current crop will be lost.
For cattlemen and chicken farmers, cold weather means making sure water is available and not frozen over, hay and other feed are readily available. In chicken houses, lights cast a glow across the night sky as they keep the temperatures up for the birds. For the power companies, chicken houses without power are a priority. Plunging temperatures from a power outage can mean the loss of hundreds of birds per house.
As we cuddle up tonight, enjoying “Downton Abbey” and SNL’s 40th Anniversary, or movies, keep a prayer for those whose livelihoods are on the line and for those linemen out battleling the outages. Let us hope we have prepared for the worst, but happily enjoy a better outcome.
