In the heat of the summer, stay cool

By BECKY NELSON
Bramblings
It’s hot out there. We have been continuing to pick, weed, mow, hay and do all sorts of outdoor work just as we do every day, but it has been harder and we’ve been more tired at the end of the day. We have been drinking a whole lot more water than on a “normal” day as we sweat it off as we work, but the heat takes a toll on you.

I think of all the folks who work outside every day like we do. Folks on construction sites, working to maintain estates, tend to the public spots and buildings in towns and cities, other farmers like us, foresters, loggers, all sorts of folks work outside every day to earn their paychecks. And it’s hot. I may complain on occasion, but I can’t imagine building a building or standing and working on pavement that reflects the heat right back at you on days like we have experienced over the last few. Just inadvertently leaning on a hot car or crawling into a hot farm truck makes me thankful that I live in the country and work in the sun away from pavement and metal and places where the breeze doesn’t blow.

Even the cows and sheep here at the farm are having a tough time in the heat. They tend to find a shady spot earlier in the day to rest and relax and feed at dawn and dusk when it’s a bit cooler. That’s a good suggestion for all of us if we don’t have to work out in the sun and the heat. Avoid it if possible … find a shady spot and read a book or enjoy the comfort of an air conditioned office, store or home if you can. Drink lots of water and keep your pets in the shade, out of cars or in the house if possible and make sure they, too, have lots of fresh water available. And if you must work outside, try to do it at dawn or dusk when it is cooler.

The crops are loving the conditions with lots of rain of late to feed them, lots of heat to foster growth and lots of humidity to keep the soil from drying out. We are picking lots of summer vegetables now, with squash and cucumbers “going nuts.” It’s that time of the harvest when we are picking more than we ever think we can sell and urging all our customers who make pickles or relishes to buy their vegetables now. But with heat outside in the 90 degree range and the prospect of working over a hot stove for making things an unappealing prospect for folks, I understand the reluctance to do so. 

I say the crops are loving the conditions, but they are ripening more quickly than we hope. The berry crop in the raspberry field is over, and the blueberries are ripening at an amazing pace in the field. Hot weather discourages those wishing to pick berries, too, and a lot end up on the ground to feed the turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, raccoons and all manner of other critters we have seen in the blueberry field. A brazen bluejay was swooping down to steal berries as I picked yesterday, and scolding me when I tried to shoo him or her away. We figure we have enough berries to satisfy our markets and feed some creatures, too, so did not put bird/beast netting over the patch this year. Especially with berries ripening so quickly, I would much prefer the critters have a meal than the berries fall and go wasted in the heat.

Be careful out there. Before we know it we will be cursing the frost and the snow and the ice and the cold. Try to enjoy our very short taste of hot weather and make sure not to work too hard or become dehydrated as you work or play. The dog days of summer are short … enjoy them.