Since we started growing carrots we have only had one season, 2012/13 where the chain was prolific. Tomorrow looks like it could be one of those days.

After having a glorious autumn and early winter, where carrot harvesting conditions were first class, I’ve just loaded up our mobile workshop to go to the field for our first run out in 2014, albeit in less than ideal conditions, and the chain is the most important item in the store. Realistically I don’t expect to need it but when it is required it is a godsend.

Rain is expected in Ireland but where we run into trouble is heavy rainfall every other day with dry conditions in between. It is tantalising in that after a dry day, soaking away the rainfall, field conditions are almost right for harvest but recently just as they come right, a 10mm day of rain sets us back to square one.

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We are now at a point where we are sneaking half days of harvest - not ideal considering the amount of people and moving parts it takes to wind up for a day of harvesting. We managed to sneak out a few tanks of roundup onto cut flowers also which will be starting to move through the gears over the coming weeks.

I find myself spending a great deal of time on weather apps on my phone and Met Eireanns rainfall radar trying to predict where the breaks will come to get some work done. Hopefully we will come into more settled weather patterns over the coming weeks.