SPARTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — You would expect to see signs of spring halfway through April, but cold temperatures have so far kept the leaves from turning green.
What that means for West Michigan farmers varies based on what they're trying to grow.
"Last year around this time, we had a lot of green tissue out, we were very susceptible to frost and subsequently we ended up in a frost situation and ended up losing about 30 percent of our crop," Rob Steffens, the owner of Steffens Orchards near Sparta, said Monday.
A wintry-looking Steffens Orchards near Sparta. (April 16, 2018)The colder weather has kept his trees dormant. He said he'll get better yield if they don't turn green until after the last frost of the season.
"Most people do not like this weather this spring, but as an orchardist, I love it," Steffens said. "I like our chances this year coming out with a full crop."
The continuing winter is causing some minor headaches for farmers who cultivate field crops like corn.