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Little-TON - Colorado

Seems across the patches....this is a slow start to the year... Lots of weather... we just got 6" of heavy wet snow..... HowZ this compare to previous years and what type of mitigation are you contemplating?

4/3/2014 10:18:28 AM

Rhode Island

here in rhode island we are a bit behind where we would like to be however, its a long season and anything is possible with the right plant and conditions.
its the end that counts - not the begining wizzer. good luck this season.
pap

4/3/2014 10:27:10 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Not here, I'm just trying not to start too early and hope to wait till next week. Finished 2nd cold frame yesterday - going with 2 plants. I know the guys way up north had late winters last year and many still grew very big.

4/3/2014 10:41:15 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Cold springs have been the norm for the past several years. This year isn't any different. At least we had deep snow on the patch for one of the coldest winters ever, so we didn't get much frost in the soil. So we should start out about the same this year.

4/3/2014 10:56:41 AM

Wixom MI.

The snow is finally gone but now its very muddy ! It will be about another 3 weeks before I can even work the ground.

4/3/2014 11:46:40 AM

Concord, CA.

So.Cal.grower,
So far I haven't had many male blossoms, I'm thinking of making a trip down your way next week. The timing is just about right, can I stop by and get some from you in case I don't have enough?

4/3/2014 1:50:32 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Its suppose to be top secret Nor-Cal. Well,,,, now that everyone knows,,,,,

Come on down, the 2009 and 1676 have plenty of males,,,,, Pingrey's 1284 just a touch behind but coming on strong:)

Mid 80's all next week too!


Hows it going for my buddies down south, Jim and Vince?

4/3/2014 2:10:58 PM

Waterville, Ohio

I'm optimistic about weather conditions this season. A brutal winter for my area, with colder than average temperatures expected into the Summer. It may be a later start than usual. I'm picking more aggressive seed stocks to try and compensate and have covered my entire growing area to try and raise soil temps earlier than normal.

4/3/2014 6:17:07 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Still cold here. 32 this morning and lots of snow still around

4/3/2014 7:14:58 PM

East Jordan, MI

Coldest and snowiest winter we have had in the 10 years we have lived here, and I got plants out months before normal, but the ones for fall should go in on time (fingers crossed).

4/3/2014 7:28:20 PM

Cameron

Still have lots of snow, but I can see some grass in the front yard. The humic acid that we spread on the 2nd patch has helped melt the snow quicker than on the 1st patch. I might be able to see a bit of dirt by this time next week. We'll be 1 -2 weeks behind getting the plants in the ground this spring.

Jane & Phil

4/4/2014 8:25:25 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

My fingers are crossed are for planting seeds next Saturday...going for third till today, should be dry enough to finally get down to 12"....I hope!!

4/4/2014 8:40:24 AM

Webster, NY

Finally see the patch but it's a mud pit. We need some dry weather now so I can get in there and get some work done.

4/4/2014 8:44:08 AM

Hinckley MN

6 more inches of snow last night. 2 feet still on the patch. I'm just starting everything 2 weeks later than average.

4/4/2014 8:48:22 AM

Joliet, IL

Concentrate on just planting spots. Throw up a hoop early or pitched visqueen to keep soil dry. Throw in heating cables if you have electric access and ammend just planting spots. One week of cables in a greenhouse with a blanket over the soil will heat up temps. By the time a plant is in the ground and a week old is around May 7th give or take a week or 2 depending on region. And space heaters needed too. That gives you over a month or so to ammend a little more around growing spots. Stay ahead of the roots. Then the final tilling of demanding patch last week of may. Bite off a little at a time from growing spots outward will keep you on schedule. Those without power access have to either wait or try potting up to stay closer to normal schedule.

4/4/2014 10:50:19 AM

Joliet, IL

I meant once a plant is in the ground after transplant is around May 7th give or take a week. Dont wait too long for second stage of amending or tilling to avoid chopping into your extending root systems.

4/4/2014 10:54:01 AM

Joliet, IL

And clearly mark your perimeters of soil heating cables. If you get too cute and hit one with the tiller it will quickly rip your plant out. Lol. I was forewarned of this by a grower who learned the hard way many moons ago.

4/4/2014 11:02:38 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Coffee groundZ thrown on top of snow will melt it off quite quickly....

4/4/2014 11:15:48 AM

Kakabeka Falls,On. Canada.

Got another 6 inches of snow this morning:(
Sucks!!!!!!

4/4/2014 12:16:18 PM

Whitehall Montana

We might finally hit 60 next week,but I have my plots tilled and 1 green house in place.Just waiting for the wind to stop blowing long enough to complete the other green house.

4/4/2014 1:39:48 PM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA (faulkner5@msn.com)

Here in southern michigan the weather is finally starting to break and both plots have been prepped and amended and are now being heated with cables and both are covered with visqueen. I have a feeling the cables and solar heat will keep me on track for an april 25 planting. It also helps that my patch location is slightly elevated over the rest of the lower lying areas.. good luck all..we'll be in the thick of it before you know it!!

4/5/2014 2:09:25 AM

New Hampshire

I finally got tired of waiting. My wife and I spent 6 hours Thursday with a snowblower, ice chopper, snow shovel and iron rake clearing the 12 inches of frozen crap from the patch. Hoping to get a soil sample this week.

4/5/2014 5:51:04 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

Sowing here- 30-40 mph cold winds. Permafrost smiling..lol

4/5/2014 10:18:29 AM

San Diego

hehehe weather is great, but we have taken the relaxed approach so far and done nothin! :) Time to get her going, not sure what "her" corresponds too, but sounds good! Lol

4/5/2014 9:29:49 PM

Hinckley MN

Started giant tomatoes and watermelon today

4/6/2014 2:55:59 PM

Lodi, California

We've had a bit of extra rain this past week, which has interfeared with tilling. I did till today though.

4/6/2014 5:35:32 PM

Ely Mn

2 feet of snow on my patch yet:(

4/6/2014 9:37:03 PM

Concord, CA.

Way to go Ashton, these continued rains have delayed the completion of my patch prep. Good for you to get it done.
We are looking to at least 10 days of 70s and 80s weather. It will be interesting to see how we'll improve on last season. Grow em big!

4/6/2014 10:48:13 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I started a 1723, 1674, and 1813 today - hoping for mid June pollination. July pollinations just don't work here in humidity and heat

4/7/2014 7:38:26 PM

Michigan,up North

good ideal luke,and good luck ,i had my first one to pollant in june at 10ft on the 2009,and cut it off like a big dummy,coast me time i count get back , wont do that again

4/7/2014 10:38:29 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Yes, I cut a June pollination last year at 7 feet out only to lose the main a few weeks later and the other entire plant to hail. I'm going to keep anything 6 feet and out this time. Good luck too.

4/8/2014 7:14:46 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

being in the humid zone myself, if it develops, it gets pollinated. Too much moisture to risk waiting for the perfect spot on main vine.....Farmer Almanac says it's going to be 'wetter than normal' in my area during June and july. Considering it's wet normally, I can just imagine the row boat I will need...

4/8/2014 8:28:10 AM