B.C.’s ongoing drought impacting crop harvests

It’s October and it still feels like summer in B.C. with the unusually sunny weather. Angela Bower speaks to Westham Island Herb Farm owner, Sharon Ellis, about the effects of the heat on her crops.

By Charlie Carey

Posted October 10, 2022 10:11 am.

Last Updated October 10, 2022 10:17 am.

While folks are making use of the extended summer heat by visiting farm stands across the province, farmers say their harvests are being impacted by the lack of rain.

Sharon Ellis, the owner of Westham Island Herb Farm in Delta, says the unseasonable weather has affected her crops, including the currently in-demand pumpkins.

“Pumpkins are smaller, and the whole season has been so goofy. Things were late in the spring and now it’s too hot, and the pumpkins don’t want to pollinate,” she told CityNews.

Besides the round orange pumpkins, Ellis’ gourds, which come in all shapes and sizes, and other leafy crops have also been affected.

“The spinach, the lettuce, and greens are not growing because [of] the lack of water, and we are unable to irrigate because the water is too salty,” she explained.

However, despite the lack of rain, Ellis says some crops are benefiting from the extended run of sun.

“Can you believe it? We are selling cranberries and strawberries in October!”

Ellis says the sun is allowing her berries to continue to grow. Pounds of raspberries and strawberries are still selling at her farm, which are usually not in season in Autumn.

According to Vancouver weather statistics, there were only two days of rain in August and four days in September. It hasn’t rained once in October so far.

In an email to CityNews, David Campbell, the head of the River Forecast Centre, says dry weather is expected to continue over the next week, and potentially longer.

Drought conditions in the Lower Mainland are not expected to improve until the region experiences constant rainfall.

Despite the lack of rain, Ellis says the sunshine and heat are welcome for her business.

“Days like this bring the people out — the people are happy,” she said.

Much of B.C.’s south coast is parched, with much of the region at a Level 5 drought rating. Much of the region is now at level five, right at the top of the province’s scale — the Lower Mainland basin, including Squamish, along with the Sunshine Coast and western Vancouver Island.

The unseasonably warm, dry weather has also prompted Metro Vancouver to extend Stage One watering restrictions.

The regional district would normally lift restrictions on Oct. 15, but they are now in place until Oct. 31 to try to protect the region’s drinking water until the rain returns.