For two days last week, fields were ablaze near my school. I finally brought my camera with me and was early enough to go investigate one morning. I wasn't sure if the fields themselves were burning or what was going on. It turns out, growers brought in bales of hay and set them on fire, hoping to save their potato crops. It dipped down to 17 degrees in Thermal, CA, which broke all previous records here in the valley. People don't realize it, but here in the desert, we look out for clear, crisp nights. That's when our worst frosts occur. The land quickly loses heat at night and there is NOTHING to hold it in. We rarely have frosts when clouds are in the sky because they hold in the moisture and daytime heat. So, the growers, in an attempt to save their crops, brought in the bales of hay, hoping that the fires would hold off the cold temps. Nope. Didn't work. Their entire crop of peppers and potatoes is gone. Our nightly temperatures, here in the valley, have climbed back up into the 40's and 50's now, but it's too late for this crop. By about March, these same fields will be planted with warm season crops like corn, melons, and beans.
4 comments:
What a shame. There is nothing easy about a farmer's life. I think too many people take their food for granted.
So sad, their payday depends on those crops.
Interesting. I guess the potatoes were more valuable than the hay.
That is a shame! I did love the pictures though.
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