Crops

Some pumpkin farmers in the West, particularly wholesalers in places like Colorado and New Mexico, are feeling the pinching effects of drought. Farmers have had to rely on dwindling water for irrigation while battling wacky weather to get their crops planted on time. Some have cut back on other crops they grow because pumpkins bring in the most money, while others have described lower yields of smaller gourds.

In spring of 2022, nearly the entire state of Colorado was parched with heat and drought. One year later, the story is remarkably different, with above-average rainfall and unusually cool temperatures. The extra moisture is doing wonders for Colorado’s croplands.

A Colorado professor is studying how plants grow under solar panels on rooftops. The research highlights the growing green roof movement — and the challenges cities face in mandating rooftop green space.