BDN interviews Jackson about ‘new normal’ weather for Maine’s growing season
Tori Jackson, an associate professor of agriculture and natural resources with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke with the Bangor Daily News for the article, “Drought plus cold adds up to ‘a different kind of growing season.’” So far this year, Maine farmers and gardeners have been contending with bizarre weather patterns and having their old assumptions about how to grow vegetables and fruits challenged, according to Jackson. “This is definitely a different kind of growing season,” she said. “It does follow a pattern we’re seeing a lot more frequently, which is variation in climate. This is going to be our new normal. Learning how to roll with the weather at different times of year is what we’re spending a lot of time on at [the University of Maine Cooperative Extension].” To cope with the unpredictable conditions, Jackson offered tips such as installing drip and overhead irrigation to shield crops from frost and using row covers and tunnels to protect delicate seedlings.