Rain Much Needed For Crops, Salinas Farmers Say - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SALINAS - Farmers on the Central Coast said the rain we've had lately is much needed for their crops.  Farmers said the natural rainfall is vital to their crops because it helps them supply their soil and irrigate their fields naturally.  It also helps fill the local reservoirs that hold their water for their crops, including the Salinas River.  Without the rain, they said they'd have to come out of the pocket.

"If you don't have to push the button on the electric panel to start your electric motors, we're saving money, so this is really God sent today," said Ray Franscioni. "Saving us lots and lots of money for all the farmers in the Salinas Valley."

While the rain is welcome news, pounding rain in short spurts can actually damage farmers' crops.  The plants could drown or seedlings won't be able to germinate.