Pumpkin at Critz Farms
/ photo: Lisa Spitz
CAZENOVIA -- The drought is having an impact on this year's pumpkin crop.
At Critz Farms in Cazenovia there is more dirt showing this year. Owner Matthew Critz says normally by this time, all you would see is the pumpkin plants.
He blames the lack of rain and doesn't expect a miracle. Critz expects there will be fewer pumpkins.
Pick your own season starts in September and Critz says they will have enough for people who come to the farm, but will take a hit in wholesale.
"Unfortunately, we won't be able to send as many loads to Boston or New York City like we normally do," Matthew Critz said.
Despite the projected shortage, Critz says they won't raise prices.
"Last year we shipped about 800,000 pounds of pumpkins," Critz said. "So this year I'm thinking maybe 400,000 or 500,000 pounds we'll ship. Then we do another 100,000 pounds retail, so we'll be down 300,000 or 400,000 pounds this year."
On a positive note, right now in the middle of blueberry season and that is a crop that is doing very well this year.
