top of page

Apocalyptic Cheerfulness: Or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love All the Seasons of the year Equally

It's very tempting to wish we lived in a more consistently moderate climate. I know there are many days when I wish that - especially when I see my motorcycle sitting in the garage so lonely and cold. However, for the farmers in Ontario, our distinct seasons are very important to the life cycles of the produce they grow. 


winter wonderland
winter wonderland

Winter

FUN FACT: did you know that snow acts as insulation for wheat? "Ontario winter wheat is pretty cold-tolerant because snow cover makes a difference. It takes very little snow – even one to four inches – to provide amazing insulation."[1] In fact, according to Peter Johnson (the Cereals Specialist from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs in 2014), it's actually the spring thaw that can do more damage. When a field rapidly thaws and floods, then quickly freezes over, the wheat can't breathe like it needs to and that can do irreparable damage - it can even kill the wheat. Due to wheats long growth cycle, it's important for the winter to be predictable and full of insulating snow!


the colours of life
the colours of life

Spring & Summer

These seasons are so important. Wait, actually, every season is important to farmers as each season is part of the life cycle of all things in the natural world. In Spring & Summer, we get to see more explicitly what has been going on under the surface of the earth we walk on. This is what is called growing season for much of the produce grown in Ontario. 


When summer rolls around, you may be thinking it's time for the farmers to kick back and relax, watching their crops grow. Not at all. Farmers have to pay special attention during the summer months to the health and well-being of their crops. They are constantly on the lookout for pests and diseases that threaten their crops. They then take special precautions if they need to, to ensure their fields, crops and livestock stay healthy.

bright fall
bright fall

Fall

During the fall season, farmers continue to harvest their crops. The most commonly harvested crops in the fall in Ontario are... MANY! There are over 50 different kinds of vegetables that are harvested in the fall alone[2]. And yes, I do know that some of them are harvested year-round because of greenhouses and the like. That is still quite the stock though.


The fall season is also a time for education. It's not uncommon for farms to offer educational opportunities for schools encouraging kids to learn about where their food comes from and how planting and feeding works as well. Our friends at Round The Bend Farm do this every Spring & Fall and it's a wonderful time!


Further Reading:


Comments


© York Farm Fresh Association 2024

York Farm Fresh Thanks the Following for their support of local farming

logo for York Region
logo for georgina township
logo for Vaughan township
logo for whitchurch-stouffville township
logo for Markham township
logo for Richmond Hill township
logo for Newmarket township
logo for King township
logo for aurora township
logo for East Gwillimbury township
logo for Central Counties Tourism
logo for Foodland Ontario
bottom of page