Cold snap, spring rain slow planting for Waterloo Region farmers

Unseasonably cold temperatures and steady rain are delaying planting across Waterloo Region, and farmers are feeling the impact. CTV's Spencer Turcotte reports.

A stretch of unseasonably chilly weather is creating additional challenges for farmers across Waterloo Region.

A cold snap, combined with persistent spring rain, has delayed planting and prompted concerns about early crop development.

At Stevanus Family Farm near Bloomingdale, spring is typically one of the busiest and most important times of the year.

“We kick off the season with asparagus. Then we have sweet corn, potatoes, green and yellow beans, tomatoes, peppers, jalapeno peppers, kale — we kind of have a mix of everything,” said Aaron Stevanus, who also grows row crops including corn, soybeans and wheat.

But with so much to manage, this year’s weather hasn’t been ideal.

“It’s a little cooler than normal,” Stevanus said.

And it could get colder.

CTV Kitchener weather specialist Ashley Bacon says overnight temperatures could dip below freezing.

“We’re projected to reach an overnight low of -2 C. The record was set back in 1979 at -2.3 C, so we could very well see this cold snap last into Sunday,” Bacon said.

While Waterloo Region is not currently under a frost warning, nearby areas are, meaning frost remains a possibility locally.

For farmers, that can have a direct impact on crops already in the ground.

“This here is asparagus,” Stevanus said, pointing to a patch in his field. “It frosted off from the cold weather.”

The cooler temperatures are also slowing growth.

“The asparagus is only a couple inches tall right now. We like it to be six inches when we cut it, so we need some heat to get that to push,” he said.

It’s not just the cold complicating matters, excess moisture from ongoing rain is also making it difficult to get into fields.

“We want rain, obviously, because rain makes grain, rain makes food,” Stevanus said. “But it can be a challenge when you’re trying to get stuff in the ground, putting it in fit, essentially making sure there’s no mud so it doesn’t cement over.”

Despite the challenges, there are some positives.

“The rain has been good for the winter wheat crop, definitely,” Stevanus added.

On the farm, adapting to changing conditions is part of the job, even when it brings added stress.

“We deal with the weather every day. Does it get stressful, especially if you’re putting in hundreds of acres of crop? It can,” he said.

For now, farmers say a stretch of warmer, drier weather would help get planting back on track. But until then, patience remains key.

“There’s some skinny ones, but these might turn out,” said son Isaac Stevanus, assessing the asparagus crop.

Frost advisory issued

Environment Canada issued a yellow frost advisory for parts of southwestern Ontario Saturday morning, warning of potential frost damage to plants and crops as temperatures are expected to drop to near or below freezing overnight and into Sunday morning.

Patchy frost is forecast in frost-prone areas.

Residents are being advised to take precautions, including covering vulnerable plants or bringing them indoors where possible.