Handley speaks to PPH about impact of early season weather on summer crops

David Handley, vegetable and small-fruit specialist at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke to the Portland Press Herald about the different impacts of early season weather on this year’s summer crops, particularly corn. Handley said that corn planted before the onset of heavy rain made it too muddy to plant more. Once it could be planted, the weather got very hot, speeding up growth for what had already gone in the ground and creating “a real distribution problem.” Handley said he’s impressed with how well farmers have handled the season’s many challenges and with the quality of the crops they’ve managed to produce. If you go to certain stands looking for fresh corn, however, “Just don’t be surprised if farmers say, ‘Next week,’” Handley said.