Advertisement

Manitoba pumpkin patch calls this the worst year yet after storm tears through barn, weather dampens crops

Click to play video: 'Manitoba pumpkin patch calls 2019 their worst year yet'
Manitoba pumpkin patch calls 2019 their worst year yet
Manitoba pumpkin grower, Schwabe Pumpkins, says wind and wet weather caused havoc for their 2019 crop, Global News' Amber McGuckin reports – Oct 2, 2019

One look at the display of pumpkins and the shiny red barn at Schwabe Pumpkins, you may not know the type of year they’ve had.

But this summer, they’ve been at odds with mother nature.

In June a storm ripped apart their barn and tossed some of the pieces more than a mile away, and this summer they’ve been grappling with a difficult growing season.

“The crop is a lot less than what we normally get, about a third of what we usually get off,” owner Melody Schwabe said.

“The summer was super hot and no rain probably until about August for us. We spent the summer rebuilding the farm and watering the field as best we could.”

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: ‘Worst storm I’ve ever seen’, thunderstorm rips through the RM of St. Andrews

Click to play video: '‘Worst storm I’ve ever seen’, thunderstorm rips through RM of St. Andrews'
‘Worst storm I’ve ever seen’, thunderstorm rips through RM of St. Andrews

Schwabe thought this may be the first season where they wouldn’t have any pumpkins to sell, calling it the most challenging year they’ve ever had.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“We’ve had to dip into our own savings a little bit, not just the business’ but we want to keep doing it. Our customers are what drives us,” she said.

This has been the second wettest September on record, with more than three times the monthly average rainfall totals hitting Winnipeg.

The city saw 153.1 mm of rain fall while the average is 45.5 mm.

Story continues below advertisement

Last year the business also took a hit, with difficult temperatures making the growing season challenging.

“The rain definitely does affect us. When you’re running an outdoor business it’s the weather that helps you sell your stuff. No one wants to be out here when it’s freezing.”

Schwabe hopes the fall temperatures will heat up so customers can visit the pumpkin patch.

RELATED VIDEO: Soggy September affecting Manitoba farmers

Click to play video: 'Soggy September affecting Manitoba farmers'
Soggy September affecting Manitoba farmers

Sponsored content

AdChoices