An excess amount of rain, as well as a lack of cold weather, has attributed to some problematic issues with regard to agriculture in Beaufort County this year. During what has turned out to be quite a unique year in terms of weather conditions, area farmers and agents with the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension have said crops, as well as plants, shrubs and trees have, collectively, suffered in more ways than one.

“(This year) was a tale of extremes,” said Rod Gurganus, agent and director with the Extension.

This fall, farmers had to pick up the pieces from a scenario of excessive rain and flooding that occurred from Sept. 24-Oct. 4 — two weeks of consistent rain, followed by rain and winds from a hurricane. While most of the damage to crops occurred in low-lying areas of Hyde County, Beaufort County still had its fair share of issues.

According to Gurganus, some parts of Beaufort County received more rain than others. One farmer near the Pantego area claimed to have recorded 110 inches of rain this year, approximately double the normal annual precipitation.

“It’s been unprecedented for the amount of water we’ve got in that area,” Gurganus said. “The corn in that area was affected by the excess water. Other parts of the county were too dry early on and that probably affected corn in a negative way too.”

However, Gurganus says the county was actually blessed because many areas around the state had too little rain, a detriment to crops.

One particular issue that Beaufort County farmers have faced this year is the fact that the fields were too wet to plant wheat on time, if at all, Gurganus said. But due to the unseasonably warm weather in November and December, wheat that was planted later because of the rain is now having a chance to catch up. Economically, the lack of wheat acreage means less seed available for next year’s wheat planting in October and November, Gurganus said.

“Potentially, where we normally grow a lot of that seed right here, it will have to come from somewhere else and a lot of varieties will be short because of the weather,” Gurganus said. “It might not be that big of a deal, but at the same time, it’s detrimental to the economy in the area.”

Also affected by the excessive rain was the harvest of soybeans and cotton, according to Gurganus. On a normal year, harvests are complete by Thanksgiving, but this year, some farmers still have soybeans in the field.

“The weather has pushed us way back, as far as what’s in the ground now,” Gurganus said. “It’s not going to hurt us as much, as long as we get dried up going into March and April next year. Outside of the wheat crop, it’s not really affecting anything else. We’ll just have to wait and see what spring brings. If the wet weather continues into April and May, then we’re talking about setting back corn, soybeans and cotton planting.”

Gurganus said the agricultural issues related to weather will be discussed among attendees at the extension’s winter growing meetings in January and February.

In terms of agriculture on a smaller scale — home gardens and landscaping — the wet conditions stunted growth due to a lack of oxygen in waterlogged root systems, according to Dan Bergbauer, a member of the extension’s Master Gardeners program.

And though plants are in a more dormant state in the winter season, an excess of moisture during the growing season washes away valuable nutrients and minerals a plant needs to survive and flourish. In some parts of the county, clay is prevalent in soil, which retains more moisture than more sandy soil. Excessive moisture also caused tomato plants to die this year because roots were waterlogged for a week or more, according to Bergbauer.

Gene Fox, extension agent, said the North Carolina State Climate Office reported that between Sept. 28-Oct. 4, the region experienced the wettest 7-day period since 1895.

“Depending on where you live, water can be a greater or lesser threat to the survival of the plants themselves,” Bergbauer said.

Regarding the temperature and lack of cold weather, Bergbauer says a lot of plants, particularly fruit trees, have chill requirements. After plants go dormant in the fall, warm weather can cause buds to break open, and upon experiencing a hard freeze, the buds will die and cause any fruit-bearing to be lost for the year.

“It’s different from leaf buds,” Bergbauer said. “You have two types on fruit trees, vines and bushes — fruit buds and leaf buds. The leaf buds, you can essentially regenerate, but the fruit buds are lost for the year. With strawberries, you see farmers putting nets over them and using water to help them survive a really cold night. That’s a critical period when buds are beginning to open.”

And while many believe insects and pests stick around longer due to a lack of cold weather, Fox says the only situation created is an increase in fire ants.

“We’re seeing more mounds pop up because more warm, wet weather keep them on the surface,” Fox said. “The ants will be everywhere, and that’s a pest that is going to come out of this wet, warm time. Another thing not so good is you will have an increase of winter annual weeds in your yard.”

According to Fox, a spring vegetable gardening class will be held by the extension office the first or second week of February, as well as a six-week string of Master Gardener training sessions, giving area residents the opportunity to get certified and endorsed by the state extension office.

“(Master Gardeners) have volunteer opportunities to relay that knowledge to other folks and help other folks,” Fox said.

For more information about how to solve problems regarding landscaping and small-scale vegetable gardening, or to sign up for the Master Gardeners program, contact the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension at 252-946-0111.