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Early Planting in Georgia and others

Hard to resist the temptation to go for it (with some reservation) when the temps are in the eighty's and low's are in the fifty's. I'm thinking about planting a 'test' crop of squash and cucumbers in the field. I have some row covers (2-4o) that I can use in an emergency but that isn't always foolproof. Our avg last frost if April 18-25. Last year we had a light frost May 2 and 3. I kind of hate to use my 'selected seeds' that I agonized over last year. Wish I had ordered some 'throwaways'. Anyone else thinking like this?? My HT is fully planted with tomatoes, spinach and cucumbers.

 

Hank Connelly

zone 7B

Cedartown Ga

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Permalink Reply by Michael Parker on March 28, 2012 at 10:53pm

Yes up here in VA, we are going to plant some snaps and sweet corn hopefully by the end of the week. Still just a few weeks early for us to put anything out on the plastic. Last night we were down in the 30's. My real questions for you Hank is what are the advantages/ disadvantages you see in using the HT? Have been seriously considering putting one up where I am just don't know if I would be able to see full advantages being that we already have a decent length growing season.    Thanks

Permalink Reply by Hank Connelly on March 29, 2012 at 6:56pm

Michael, I wish I had another!. Freedom from rains, winds, etc. My tomatoes I planted on Mar 11 are about to blossom and are 24" tall. I expect to pick ripe tomatoes by mid May. The cucumbers are taking hold (planted seed) and are under a row cover to keep out the bugs. If the cold comes I can protect to about 28 degrees now. You will be in full control of water and fertilizing. I have some pictures on my blog at www.fivecedars.blogspot.com of last years tomatoes reaching over 9'. In the fall, I had tomatoes (different ones) until late November/early Dec. The key is that when those few nights that get below normal temp, you can close it up and use the heat stored by the row covers and plastic mulch.

Hank

Permalink Reply by Greg on March 29, 2012 at 10:33pm

I agree with all that Hank says. Although in Montana we are a few weeks later than he is. I really feel that my tunnels pay for themselves in one year. I have one 26X96, and my newest is 30X96. One thing he didn't mention was that the produce from the tunnels is of excellant quality. It also lets a small operator like me spread out the planting time, so I don't have to plant it all within a two week period.  Like he says, the crops in the tunnel are well underway, and now he can plant more outside, knowing he already has a portion of his crop underway.

Greg

Permalink Reply by Greg on March 30, 2012 at 1:02am
Permalink Reply by Hank Connelly on March 30, 2012 at 8:10am

Here is a picture of my tunnel taken two weeks ago. Hope the link isn't too long. If it doesn't work visit Five Cedars Farm on FB for the March 13th post.

 

http://www.facebook.com/FiveCedarsFarm#!/photo.php?fbid=33555931649...



Greg said:

Permalink Reply by Matt on April 1, 2012 at 6:24am

I don't have any tunnels yet.  I lived dangerously two years and got burned by late frost each year.  I now only start cold hardy items early. This usually means greens and brassicas.  Everything else that I start early is in the plug trays in the greenhouse.  I am not big enough yet to cost justify a large tunnel.

 

With the price of many of the hybrids, I am not willing to risk the expensive seed.  The earliest I will go in Wisconsin on melons and cucumbers is May15th and that is PUSHING it.  You NEED row cover up until at least June 1st here or you will be burned three years out of four.

Permalink Reply by tulsacityfarmer on April 1, 2012 at 9:17am

 

 

 I've been watching other for a month planting early. I keep reminding myself of our average last frost here of April 22nd. I do have my early Tomatoes (determinate) planted but under hoops and ready to pull the plastic over them. But I surrendered and planted cucumbers, okra, beets & squash; this week.

Permalink Reply by Hank Connelly on April 1, 2012 at 2:46pm

Our average last frost is 4/18. I planted some pole beans I had from last year to see what happens. For the squash and cukes, I decided to plant the seeds inside and will xplant in a few weeks. Pretty early for Okra though.

tulsacityfarmer said:

 

 

 I've been watching other for a month planting early. I keep reminding myself of our average last frost here of April 22nd. I do have my early Tomatoes (determinate) planted but under hoops and ready to pull the plastic over them. But I surrendered and planted cucumbers, okra, beets & squash; this week.

Permalink Reply by tulsacityfarmer on April 1, 2012 at 10:11pm

 It  was 90 today! And I  wanted to plant my eggplant and bell pepper transplants after church today. the normal high here in Tulsa is 64.

Permalink Reply by Bill Fleming on April 2, 2012 at 10:37am

Been reading a few research articles on this subject recently since a lot of corn has been planted very early in the upper Midwest this spring.

Using data from the past 80 years there was over a 50% chance of a killing frost in April but if they used climate data from the past 10 years there is only a 5% chance of frost.

The data they used was for years with March weather similar to this year.

I think some growers are hedging their bets though, corn seed is in much shorter supply than it should be. Could be the smart growers doubled their seed purchases in case they had to replant.

Permalink Reply by Hank Connelly on April 2, 2012 at 8:30pm

Bill,

You've convinced me. I'm checking my planter tomorrow. Need to make a sprocket change this year, and if it doesn't rain by noon, I'll try a 1/2 acre (50%). At $11/pound I'm a little cautious. The weather outlook is certainly favorable and that would be one more thing off the 'check list' for 2012. Plus, we'd have corn by the 4th!!!!

Hank

Bill Fleming said:

Been reading a few research articles on this subject recently since a lot of corn has been planted very early in the upper Midwest this spring.

Using data from the past 80 years there was over a 50% chance of a killing frost in April but if they used climate data from the past 10 years there is only a 5% chance of frost.

The data they used was for years with March weather similar to this year.

I think some growers are hedging their bets though, corn seed is in much shorter supply than it should be. Could be the smart growers doubled their seed purchases in case they had to replant.

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