There's a bumper crop of worry over dry conditions

Sam Brizendine waters his garden spot in the Parks and Recreation gardening plats in the former Cedar City area. He says he has to soak them thoroughly about every other day in this dry weather. Immediate forecasts do not call for rain, nor does it look like any is on the horizon.
Sam Brizendine waters his garden spot in the Parks and Recreation gardening plats in the former Cedar City area. He says he has to soak them thoroughly about every other day in this dry weather. Immediate forecasts do not call for rain, nor does it look like any is on the horizon.

Today marks the first day of summer, but it feels like it started a month ago in Mid-Missouri.

"The first day of summer brings a lot trepidation for produce farmers," said James Quinn, regional horticulture specialist for the University of Missouri Extension Office.

"A lot of fruit crops are advanced," he said. "Blueberries started at the end of May and normally aren't ready until mid-June. Peaches came out in early June, and they're usually not out until the end of the month. Blackberries, raspberries and strawberries started coming out in mid-April, and they're usually not out until May."

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