Last year's cool, wet summer was followed by this year's heat and drought, but the impact on fall crops is somewhat the same: It makes growing decisions difficult. Tomato plants with fruit split from too much water have given way to tomato plants scorched by the sun. Last year the challenge for farmers was too much water, this summer it's too hot and dry.
Farmers have struggled all summer long with keeping crops irrigated. Several have already experienced water shortages. Although fresh fall crops planted in August should produce by the middle of the fall, nobody knows yet whether they will continue to suffer from lack of rain. A few wells in the area have already run dry. This year has been the third hottest summer on record and rainfall has been only half the usual average.
How the crops produce should be interesting. One farmer who grows and markets Heirloom tomatoes predicts he'll have a new crop this fall because that one short episode of cooling and rain several weeks ago caused his plants to re-set fruit. If they plants don't burn, they should begin producing in another few week. Watch the markets to see if more Heirlooms show up.
New plants face a different challenge. They must germinate and grow, but will be damaged if conditions continue to be so hot. Nevertheless, Central Texas is noted for the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetable options available during the cooler fall markets. Expect another round of green beans, tomatoes, succulent greens plus apples and pears in season.
The following table indicates which crops should be available during the next three months, but timing may be a little off -- again -- this year because of the unpredictable conditions. Good advice for shoppers is to keep an eye out for the fall foods they enjoy - and if they don't see them in the markets, ask the farmers when they will be available.
Typical Availability of Central Texas Fall Crops
|
September |
October |
November |
|
| Apples |
X |
X |
X |
| Beets |
|
|
X |
| Bell Peppers |
X |
X |
X |
| Broccoli |
|
X |
X |
| Cabbage |
X |
X |
X |
| Cantaloupe |
X |
X |
X |
| Carrots |
X |
X |
X |
| Cauliflower |
|
X |
X |
| Celery |
X |
X |
|
| Cucumbers |
X |
X |
X |
| Eggplant |
X |
X |
X |
| Figs |
X |
|
|
| Green Beans |
|
X |
|
| Greens |
X |
X |
X |
| Herbs |
X |
X |
X |
| Honeydew |
X |
X |
X |
| Lettuce |
|
X |
X |
| Mushrooms |
X |
X |
X |
| Okra |
X |
|
|
| Onions |
X |
|
|
| Oranges |
|
X |
X |
| Peaches |
X |
|
|
| Pears |
X |
|
|
| Potatoes |
X |
X |
X |
| Pumpkin |
|
X |
X |
| Radishes |
|
X |
|
| Spinach |
|
|
X |
| Squash, winter |
X |
X |
X |
| Sweet potatoes |
X |
X |
X |
| Tomatoes |
X |
X |
X |
| Turnips |
X |
X |
X |
| Watermelon |
X |
X |
|
