Photo by Travis Pratt Jacqueline Harding of Gaithersburg selects produce at Thanksgiving Farms and Orchard farmers market in Adamstown. Purchase this photo

Robert Black, co-owner of Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Thurmont , said for the most part, rainfall is not an issue at his farm because of irrigation ponds built decades ago.

Sunshine is all he needs to help his plums, blackberries, blueberries, apricots, sweet corn, zucchini and other produce ripen, Black said.

With repeat customers and a bakery on the premises, Black said that, despite the troubled economy, sales this year have been brisk.

"We're lucky to be in this business," he said.

Brian Biggins, co-owner of Miolea Organic Farm in Adamstown , said too much rain and cool spring weather has slowed his crop of tomatoes.

"The weeds are doing fine," he said.

The first planting of sweet corn came in early and strong at Miolea, he said, and he thinks this year's crop is the best ever.

Squash, zucchini, carrots and string beans are all turning out well, Biggins said.

Some of his cucumbers have been hit by wilt and beetles. Because the farm is organically run, staff must be creative in addressing such problems, he said.

Regardless, Biggins said food grown by local farmers far surpasses the freshness and quality of anything produced on a mass scale and sold at some supermarkets.

"People can't keep going to the industrial food complex and playing Russian roulette," he said.

Melanie Zimmermann, whose family owns Thanksgiving Farms Garden Center and Orchard on Buckeystown Pike, said they will begin picking their tomatoes next week.

Zimmermann said about 20 percent of sales at Thanksgiving Farms come from the gardening center.

Sales this year have been on par, if not slightly better, than last, she said.

Cherry tomatoes are ready to go, she said, as are peaches, plumbs and blackberries.

"The flavor has been fantastic, even with the rain."