Legumes harvest compromised

The deep snows of February and March meant wet fields for weeks afterward, then lingering rain followed, which led to late planting for crops across the Palouse. In September, the traditional time when garbanzos, lentils and chickpeas are harvested – following wheat cutting in late July and August – rains returned as weather turned colder.

It all meant the legumes harvest itself was threatened, limiting chances to cut what was grown and have it still be a quality crop.

The issue was excess moisture in the pods.

A dusting of snow in late September did not help, nor did another snow Oct. 8.

In t...