SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Opening day at the Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market usually brings rows of fresh produce and a crowd ready for summer’s first harvest. But this year, Clinton Square looked noticeably bare.
There were very few farmers at all, and the few farmers who did show up had limited offerings, all due to poor planting conditions brought on by erratic weather.
Dale Haas, who’s been selling at the market for over 20 years, arrived Tuesday with just a few plants.
“I planned to have peas and strawberries, but they’re a little late,” Haas said. “Probably won’t be here for another week or two.”
Unpredictable shifts between cold and heat this spring have disrupted typical growing patterns. Jim Maryinuk, another longtime farmer, said his asparagus crop stalled out completely.
“With the weather being hot and cold, it’s caused my primary plant, asparagus, to not really know where it’s at,” Maryinuk said. “It usually starts in late May and keeps growing, but this year it’s stopped.”
He added that the delays could impact the market in the coming weeks.
“If the weather gets better and the temperatures stay where they should be, the market will fill up with farmers,” he said.
Despite the slow start, both farmers remain hopeful. They expect to have more crops available within the next two weeks.
The Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market runs every Tuesday through October, and organizers are urging the community to continue supporting local vendors as the season ramps up.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Weather delays crop growth at Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market
Kobe Scales, Reporter: At Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse, the first market day of the summer usually brings color, crowds, and crates full of produce. But this year, many tables are empty — and the ones that are here look more like placeholders than harvest celebrations.
Scales: Dale Haas has been coming to this market for over 20 years. Today, he arrived with only a few plants.
Dale Haas, local farmer: I plan to have peas and strawberries but they’re a little late. Probably won’t be here for another week or two.
Scales: Next to him, Jim Maryinuk is in the same boat. Usually by now, he’s selling early-season staples. This time? A few short
Jim Maryinuk, local farmer: With the weather being hot and cold its caused my primary plant asparagus to not really know where its at. When it starts out in late May it continues growing throughout the season, but this year its stopped.
Scales: Today was all about the farmers or at least it should have been… Struggled mightily here in upstate New York
Maryinuk: That’s going to be a problem for the market because things are going to be coming in a little bit later. Now, if the weather gets better and the temperatures get to where they should be and stay there the market will be filled up with farmers. Scales: While it hasn’t been a great start Jim and Dale still have hope, they say, crops should be ready in the next two weeks. From Syracuse, Kobe Scales, NCC News