Page 2 - Rob Galey News Today

While a cold spring meant a late planting, the pumpkins flourished and dry weather hardened their shells, which didn’t rot from rain or frost

Cool weather delayed ripening; eating the homegrown strawberries is an annual ritual

June’s main cash crop — strawberries — sits green, awaiting an elusive heat that turns berries bright red, sweet and delicious.

Easing of federal travel restrictions, high COVID vaccination rates among the reasons the program is ending, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture says.

The first of this year’s juicy, sweet strawberries are ripening on the Saanich Peninsula. Galey Farms on Blenkinsop Road is turning out big, shiny red berries grown under new “high tunnel” . . .

The spirit of Christmas is returning to Victoria with ­organizations collaborating to bring back four parades over two weekends this holiday season. Organizers of Santa’s Light Parade (now with . . .

For the first time in years, Rob Galey has had to water his corn and pumpkin crops immediately after seeding. “The seeds will not germinate because the ground is so dry,” says the Saanich farmer.. . .

Nora Cumming, manager at Longview Farms, said the Central Saanich operation normally has about 24 foreign workers, but hired fewer because its on-site accommodations were limited due to COVID-19 safety protocols. “We need the help,” she said Wednesday. “This year with the weather our flowers are ripening faster than usual, so there is a high demand for workers.” It’s all about timing with daffodils. The flowers need to be picked, bundled and shipped before they bloom, so that when ...