C A S E R T A N O G R E E N H O U S E S & F A R M S

Kissing balls are a major component of Casertano's Christmas decorated material.

Christmas specialties provide winter income

Delaware withstood a severe drought last summer. The state was 12-15 inches below normal rainfall during summer. Casertano lost some crops, not because of lack of water, but from the heat, Steve Casertano said.

"We couldn't keep the soil temperature down, so we lost some of our liners, but it wasn't devastating," Steve said. Last year's drought will have some lasting effects, but the state's rainfall was back to normal by the end of 2002, Dick Casertano said.

"Since we grow two- and three-year crops, the drought will affect us a little this year and probably next," Dick said. "It was the driest I've ever seen it here, but thankfully we're out of the drought with no major problems."

. © 2003 Branch-Smith Publishing