ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – It was the wettest April on record and May has been rainy at times as well.  

Despite this weather, the rain has proved to be a challenge for area farmers.

Dave Thies of Thies Farm and Greenhouses says farmers are up against the clock to get their crops in the ground.

“I think maybe they’re a little bit in panic mode right now. Usually, corn is planted by now and they’re getting ready to plant soybeans. I’m sure there’s sure planted but I would say a very small percent,” he said.

At Thies Farms, they had their own set of rain-related challenges, especially when it comes to their greenhouses.

“For us, the greenhouse business, even though we’re protected inside, is still an environment that’s very conducive to fungal problems so we’re battling that,” Thies said.

But as for their fruit crops, time and future forecasts will tell.

“I guess yet to be determined how it affects the peaches, the apples, blackberries and strawberries, but to this point, we seem to be okay,” he said.

Thies prefers dry weather since they can always add moisture. We’re only at the beginning of the harvest, so if the weather shifts, the strawberries will thrive.

“What the strawberry prefers is 75 to 70 degrees and sunny. That’s hard to find around here,” Thies said. “The worst thing that could happen is now all of a sudden we switch gears and jump up into the 90s every day. That would be bad for strawberries.”

The good news is that this weekend’s forecast is looking very favorable—right within that ideal temperatures range so the strawberries are ripe for picking. 

Pick-your-own begins at Thies Farm and Greenhouses this weekend.