Drought downsizing wildflower crop

BURNET (KXAN) - Drivers cruising down Highway 29 toward the Hill Country have to look hard to catch the bluebonnet blooms popping up along the road. There are several sparsely populated patches along the roadway on the east and westside of Bertram. It is a far cry from the colorful fields of wildflowers people are used to seeing in pictures from years past.

"A really good wet winter normally means we have a good bluebonnet crop," said Wade Hibler, the
Burnet County AgriLife Extension Agent. The seeds are normally germinated by November and December downpours, but the drought has drastically downsized this year's crop.

"Some years we have them, and some years we don't," said Dorothy James, director of the Bluebonnet Festival. The Burnet Chamber of Commerce has been preparing for their annual event for months. It always takes place the second weekend in April when the bluebonnets are usually in full bloom. James does not believe a lighter wildflower crop will deter tourists driving in from all over.

Burnet County, the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas, has another cash crop that is suffering. Hay production is down to zero due to the drought. Ranchers are having to haul it in from East Texas at a much higher expense. The extra diesel is driving up the price. Right now, one bale of hay is costing ranchers anywhere from $60 to $100. Many have sold off most or all of their livestock.

Wednesday's downpour filled local farmers with hope. "One good day of rain changes everybody’s optimism," said Hibler. "I’ve seen more happy faces, and heard more chipper voices on the phone."

The precipitation that lasted all day Wednesday could also cause more bluebonnet blooms to open. Hibler said the only other factor for the popular plant that thrives in poor Hill Country soil is heat. If summer temperatures come on too quickly, folks will be saying goodbye to the bluebonnets until next year.

Click here for more information on the 2009 wildflower outlook.