Growing season
We are in the 2022 growing season. Well let’s hope we are done with killing frost for this year ifferent areas have much different planting times. In Michigan we have cold winters and sometimes late springs, depending on which part of the state you live in. Timing for warm-season, cool-season, and tender crops in a Michigan varies greatly and relies heavily on soil temperature and frost dates.
For the start of the growing season we have to know what date on average do you have the last 32° reading. Here is a list of some of the last 32 days in our area with the average date, the earliest date and the latest date. Grand Rapids May 1st April 6, 1925, latest June 4th 1945. Lansing average May 11th April 8, 1886, July 15, 1863. Since 1900 the dates are May 8, April 12, 1952 and June 11, 1972. At Muskegon the average in May 4th the earliest is April 9, 1987 and the latest is June 22, 1992. At Holland the dates are May 6th April 13,1916 and June 11, 1972. At Kalamazoo the dates are May 3rd April 8,1896 and May 27, 1993. So for the most part we are now past the average last 32 date and way past the earliest.
Not all vegetable crops require the same season or temperatures to grow. Warm-season crops are those that grow best during the warmer parts of the season. These include sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and melons. All of these are tender crops that are susceptible to frost damage or even death by frost.
Cool-season vegetables, on the other hand, prefer the cooler temperatures of fall and spring. Many are frost-tolerant, some to temperatures as low as 20. Onions, peas, spinach, leafy lettuces are all cool-season vegetables.
Many cool-season vegetables can handle planting times as early as the soil thaws and is workable, usually late March through early April in southern Michigan and three weeks later in the most northern parts. Tender, warm-season crops, however, require much warmer soil temperatures and must wait until the danger of frost has passed. Planting on Memorial Day is a good rule of thumb, but frost dangers occur frequently throughout much of Michigan in spring. If you plant around mid to late May, keep an eye on the weather forecast and cover your seedlings or transplants. If there is a low below 40 in the forecast or a frost advisory is issued.
Checking the soil temperature helps ensure your ground is ready for various types of seeds. Different crops grow best at different soil temperatures. Tomatoes and corn need a soil temperature of 55 or better. Cold-tolerant crops will germinate and grow at a soil temperature of around 45 degrees.
We will have a rapid leaf growth in the next week and by next weekend we should have most trees fully leaf out. The rest of the month we will have to keep a eye on any nights that are clear and cool
Slim
We’re coming to GR for a wedding this afternoon. It looks to be a beautiful day for a wedding. Have a great weekend, all.
Yesterday official H/L at Grand Rapids was 60/49, it should be the last day of below average temperature for a at least a week or more. Here at my house I was on the far NW side of the rain shield and thus only had 0.09″ of rain fall down at the airport they recorded 0.17″. The overnight low here at my house was 44 and at the current time it is clear and 47. There is a chance of some frost tomorrow morning but that will be the last chance for some time. Lest hope it is the last… Read more »