Utah Farmers Fighting Cold, Wet Weather | Business

If you love going to farmers markets, you will notice your favorite vegetables arrive a bit late this season. Farmers like Jeremy East haven't been able to plant because soil is just too soaked. He says he's two to three weeks behind in planting. East says “we should be planting corn right now, should be planting squash, we're waiting to plant our really early crops.” Twenty five percent of East’s profit comes from the downtown farmers market in Salt Lake City. Not having as much variety to sell when it first opens will hurt his bottom line. But planting right now would do even more damage. East says “it’s just saturated, its full of water, if you work it when its wet it turns into concrete, ruins the soil causes you more problems than if you wait.” Other farmers have been able to plant minimal amounts of onions and barley. The Utah Department of Agriculture says moisture is causing delays and problems statewide.  Spokesperson Larry Lewis says “some of the high moisture levels in Box Elder County have caused a condition of snow mold with some of the wheat growers.” Fruit growers are watching temperatures. A hard freeze warning Thursday night into Rriday morning threatens apricot trees that are in full bloom. Fred Barker, along the fruit highway, is prepared to lose a few apricots. Barker says “ if it gets down to 27 degrees it will certainly thin them out. If it gets to 22 degrees it will take 90 percent.” Barker says peaches are just starting to bud and should be able to withstand the cold.