[Market-farming] tracking soil temps

Robin Follette list at seasonseatingsfarm.com
Wed Jul 22 15:40:14 EDT 2009


Zone really doesn't matter in summer growing.  Zones tell us the average annual coldest temp but nothing about frost dates, expected rain, average summer temps, etc.  I'm in 5 and sadly, still have snow in April some years.  We can start planting peas in late April or early May on a good year but corn has to wait until at least early June in my area.

Robin
Seasons Eatings Farm
Talmadge, Maine

"Without power over our food, any notion of democracy is empty." - Frances Moore Lappe
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marcy Nameth 
  To: 'Chris Reid' ; 'Market Farming' 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:20 AM
  Subject: Re: [Market-farming] tracking soil temps


  The temps vary widely during the day and during cold spells and I was just thinking that it wouldn't be very reliable to use when I read under corn to use the 9:00 a.m. soil temp. 

  Johnny's points out that it also makes a big difference if you're using untreated (vs treated) seeds. 

  My thermometer has a 5" probe and I put it all the way in.  I'm sure depth makes a difference too and I may have been too deep.   Does anyone else know?

  We were about 10 days later than all the neighbors on corn planting and later than usual with our squash and cucumbers - May 5 in Zone 5 where I planted them April 15 last year.    They popped though and have done great.

  Marcy 

  SE Colo

  From: Chris Reid [mailto:chriscreid at yahoo.com] 



   

        If you have a moment to say more about tgis, I'd really like to hear it (maybe the group too).

        What did you track (e.g. at what depth and how often - daily?) and how did the temps compare to the traditional planting times -how much did they vary?

        This of course makes perfect sense in a weather environment in which the only rule seems to be there are no rules.

        I bought shade cloth this year for the first time -- my plan was that if it got too hot for the crops, I was going to shade what needed it to keep on producing, rather than just talk about the heat!  So far - not needed, the opposite!

        Chris Reid
        Stamford, CT
       

   



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