By Brian Randall
Being able to manage water resources efficiently during times of scarcity and excess is crucial to successful farming, and the weather patterns over the last few years have highlighted this importance. In drought conditions, as we experienced in the 2023 season, the major concern is inadequate moisture which could lead to crop failure or at the very least reduced yields. An excessive amount of moisture also leads to issues, such as nutrient leaching, soil erosion and fungal diseases. In 2025 our farm (as well as many farms throughout Southern Wisconsin) received a much higher summer rainfall total than in the previous few years. Now in 2026, we are starting out with a record-setting April, with some areas of Southeastern Wisconsin receiving over 8 inches of rain, doubling the typical monthly average.
There are many issues that stem from an excess of water. In this article we will cover three, and the ways our team at Gwenyn Hill Farm works with the rhythm of nature.
Timing of planting and harvesting
Preparing for a successful season means building a plan for what you will be growing. This considers the time it takes for seeds to germinate, plants to mature, fruits or seeds to develop, and eventual harvesting. The timing of planting and harvesting is key to a successful crop. Compaction of the soil is a major concern when considering putting equipment on a wet field. Compaction is the destruction of the soil structure as heavy equipment compresses the soil, reducing pore space needed for roots, air and nutrients. It can be very difficult to correct compaction, so we avoid these situations at all costs.
Weed pressure
Weeds are a major concern in organic production, and extra steps need to be taken to ensure the crops planted have the best chance of success. To control weeds, we use both cultural methods and mechanical methods. An example of cultural weed control is using a dense planting of cover crops to keep the weeds at bay. An example of mechanical weed control is using our cultivating tractors to uproot weeds and prevent them from getting too large. A similar story unfolds here, where wet conditions do not allow for timely mechanical cultivation to happen, and weed pressure builds, which can affect productivity and make harvesting the crop more difficult.
Giving the crops an advantage over weeds is key to a successful harvest, but this can be difficult in wet conditions.
Plant health
Poor drainage in the fields can result in fungal disease which reduces overall yield. The roots of the plants struggle to survive in such a wet environment and the plant can show stunted growth, discoloration or wilting. Proper soil drainage is the answer to this issue, which we address with our cover cropping strategy. Cover crops protect the surface of the soil from rainfall and improve soil structure through extensive root systems, giving rainwater a chance to infiltrate rather than run off.
Giving rainwater a place to go is important.
This native perennial planting by our hoop houses is designed to catch excess water allowing it to infiltrate, rather than run off.
Water management will always be an important factor in farming, especially with the extremes we have experienced over the last 5 years. Even in the face of these issues we look forward to a great season at Gwenyn Hill. Some years can be more challenging than others, but the lessons learned are invaluable.