Sask. grower wary of lack of snow

With temperatures topping 17 C on Saturday afternoon, it was an appropriate day for the first Regina Farmers’ Market of the year.

Normally, people heading to the market would have to navigate around ice and snow, but on Saturday people were walking to the market wearing just sweaters. Many people were enjoying the oddly warm season; one woman called it “beautiful”, saying she went out walking a couple of weeks ago with no coat.

But, the warm weather might not be so great for growers.

Bob Kreutzer is with Over the Hill Orchard. He was at the market selling jams, juices, and pastries made with berries from the orchard. They grow things like raspberries, saskatoons, cherries, and strawberries.

He said they rely solely on rainwater and water from their dugout, so with there being next to no snow, the lack of runoff could be a problem. 

“It’s hard to say whether the trees will survive, or whether we’ll have any loss of it due to the weather.”

On the positive side, Kreutzer said the trees could start budding out sooner because of the warmth, and if there isn’t another frost, it might mean they get a higher yield.

For his part, Kreutzer is enjoying the warm weather.

“Not too much shoveling,” he said.