Author: Natalie Hoidal, UMN Extension educator, local foods and vegetable crops
After a long and cold spring, summer is finally approaching. Everything is delayed this year due to cold weather, stunted seedlings, and wet fields. Starting this week, I'll be sharing weekly vegetable updates to inform growers about what we're seeing across the state, and things to consider in the coming week.
If you're seeing
interesting things in your fields, need help identifying problems, or
just want to share photos, we'd love to hear from you! Growers can reach
out directly to me any time at hoida016@umn.edu, and you can submit
questions and diagnostic help below.
Vegetable weather report
What a week! As the weather finally warmed up enough to start planting, we've experienced severe storms across the state. It's not yet clear how much damage growers have suffered from the storms this week, but at the very least, heavy rains have further delayed planting. We can expect hot, humid weather for the next couple of days, followed by a return to more typical cool spring weather in the high 50's to low 70's. While the wet spring meant delays for many growers, it also brought welcome relief to our dry soils. As of this week, we are no longer experiencing drought conditions in Minnesota! Soil moisture is lower than normal in the far Northeast and far Southwest corners of the state, but not low enough to be considered "drought" conditions. On the other hand, growers in the Red River Valley are experiencing flooding. Over the next week, forecasts show about an inch of rain in northwest Minnesota, with closer to half an inch or less in the southeast part of the state.Soil temperatures from MDA stations, data collected to 6’’ depth
Station location |
Nearest major town |
Coldest soil temperature in the last 7 days (approx.) |
Temperature on May 10, 2020 (approx). |
Blue Earth |
Albert Lea (Iowa border) |
46 º F |
55.5 º F |
Russel |
Marshall |
45 º F |
63 º F |
Henderson |
St. Peter / Belle Plaine |
46 º F |
60 º F |
Hoffman |
Alexandria |
39 º F |
49 º F |
Soil temperatures from ND-managed stations in MN
Station location |
Nearest major town |
Average turf soil temp on May 10 (4’’) |
Sabin |
Fargo / Moorhead |
52 º F |
Mavie |
Thief River Falls |
44 º F |
Fox |
Roseau (Canada border) |
45 º F |
Crop updates
- Cole crops: Due to delayed field prep, many farmers were planting their first outdoor successions of Brassicas this week. It's been fun to see so many of you trying new broccoli varieties based on our 2021 trials! The cabbage maggot forecast predicts that emergence will occur this week in the southern half of the state. If you use row cover, now is a good time to start getting
it ready if it's not already out, at least for growers in the southern
half of the state.
- Sweet corn: We're getting really close to planting time! Check your variety for optimal soil temperatures; some varieties can handle 55 degree soil, and others prefer it to be a bit warmer. Many growers in Southern MN have already started transplanting. The seedcorn maggot forecast predicts emergence in the southern half of the state this week; read more about it here.
- Lettuce: High tunnel lettuce is maturing nicely. I heard from quite a few of you who had rabits and gophers in high tunnels this spring. I checked in with a vertebrate pest specialist, who confirmed that our squirrel, gopher, rabbit, opossum, etc. neighbors are generally pretty hungry this year. With limited food options outdoors due to the delayed spring, your high tunnel lettuce looks very tasty.
Photo: Audrey, Flickr |
- Carrots and beets: I continue to see creative strategies to support carrot and beet germination. More and more growers are using row cover to maintain consistent soil moisture, and I heard from another person who uses silage tarps right up until the moment carrots are about to germinate.
- Onions: Most growers didn't get their onions planted until the last few days or so, so there's not much to report yet.
- Garlic: Garlic is a bit delayed this year, but it's generally looking healthy. Early to mid May is the time for spring nitrogen applications; ideally do so soon, as late nitrogen applications can delay bulb formation. More info on garlic management.
- Asparagus: Asparagus is a bit later than last year, but it's catching up quickly!
- Potatoes: Around this time last year I noted that potatoes were mostly planted. That does not seem to be the case this year, but there is still plenty of time to plant. I already heard my first report of Colorado Potato Beetle in a high tunnel, so get ready!
- Tomatoes and peppers: Tomatoes
and peppers
are all over the place; most of the tomatoes and peppers I've seen have
been fairly stunted due to the cool spring, and in some cases due to
potting soil issues. There is still a good chance they will catch up in
the next few weeks. Many growers have been busy transplanting tomatoes in tunnels this week.
Problems in the field
Delayed rye cover crops
A rye cover crop ~4 inches tall 5/9/22, photo by Natalie Hoidal |
Greenhouse humidity
Bacterial spot on a pepper, photo by Natalie Hoidal |
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