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Ohio

Im still waiting/need to do my final till , add my compost and also buy the rest of my amendments...but I cant do this until the soil drys out !

I usally have my soil tilled and ready to go but this last month has been nothing but wet.

Every time the soil is close to drying out it poors down rain for 2 solid days.

This last month just when the soil gets about ready to dry out and till.... it then pours down rain AGAIN for a solid 2 or 3 days.

anyone else having trouble getting their final till in? I sure am behind on alot of things this year.

4/18/2011 5:22:37 AM

Berlin,mi.([email protected])

Brooks,It snowed off and on at day at my place all day yesterday. WE are expected to get 2-4 inches of snow today. The weather might just might decide if I grow this year or not.

4/18/2011 6:12:59 AM

Muddy Waters

Yes the weather stinks,but its still early folks! Im glad I have my greenhouse 1000 sg feet,warmed& ready not getting the rain on soil!62 degrees with no heat source it was 42 outside.Hopefully this will turn around in 7-10 days.

4/18/2011 6:45:31 AM

Rhode Island

same here brooks. rather be safe then sorry. even if we need to ammend /till and put greenhouses,cables and plants down the same day, its all good.
its a long season for sure so no need to panic.

4/18/2011 7:26:29 AM

Wisconsin

6-10 inches of more SNOW expected here for Wednesday! Words cannot explain how much I hate winter!

4/18/2011 8:48:45 AM

Buffalo, New York

i normally have the cables burried and hoops up by the 25th to start heating the soil for 10 days until a May 5th transplanting........not this year.

4/18/2011 8:56:16 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Brooks Ive had a ton of issues with that. I was getting the patch tilled and it poured rain the same day. Then as I was adding the ammendments to do the second till I was lucky again and it rained as soon as I was done. Noe as I need to set up my last hoophouse the patch is a muddy mess. I may just try to set the last one up even with the patch saturated. I'll get one more till to soften things up. Its getting frustrating to say the least. Just when you get the time to get things done it begins to start raining or the wind makes things harder. The way I see it is if it was easy then everyone would be doig it. Thats why we're a special kind of people. Who would be spending such nice summer days weeding a patch, spending a ton of money on amendments, time, effort, to grow a fruit. I'll tell you people like yourself that want to grow a bigger pumpkin every year. Hang tough and better weather will arrive.

4/18/2011 8:57:42 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

The snow on Saturday morning and temps in the 40's this weel will slow things down here. Another cold spring, 5th one in a row.

4/18/2011 9:19:57 AM

Western PA

You bet Brooks. I am feeling like I won't get them in by the first week in May. This weeks weather is not looking very good either.

I was walking through my patch area with rubber boots yesterday and I was sinking about 6 inches ,the mud was nearly was pulling my boots off.

I have taken drastic measures before this last rain we got over the weekend. Last Friday I went out and bought a 10 x 20 foot tarp. The patch was very wet still but I tried to turn the soil over by hand ( shovel ) in the areas that the hoop houses will go (back to back). I then used 1/2" plastic conduit and made low wide arches, then placed the tarp over it. I have it staked and tied down also.Air can get under from all sides.

So now, The area under the tarp did not get that inch of rain that we got over the weekend, and all that wind we had yesterday was blowing under the tarp and hopefully helped to dry the ground some.

I did the same thing about 2 1/2 weeks ago and actually got my two early hoops up and plants are in with heaters. They are growing, but very slow compared to last Aprils nice weather.

4/18/2011 9:22:15 AM

Cameron

Cold & wet here, with a light dusting of snow. Frost just broke here this week, but the patch is WET, WET, WET. They are calling for lots of rain & crap, so we'll be late getting it done in time. It might be a late start for us this year. Good luck to all those fighting this crappy weather.

Jane & Phil

4/18/2011 9:34:40 AM

Linden, Mi.,

I have not been on the garden all year - to wet -
Now, I set here, looking out at it (garden) and it is covered
with 2" of snow and the weather man just said we could get 3" to 5" today, then 1/4" of rain Tuesday
Yes, when will it stop ??????????
I will grow this year - it may be a week or two late but I will be out there.
"GOOD LUCK TO ALL" !!!!! GOG BLESS THE GUYS IN THE STORM TRACK!!!!!!!

4/18/2011 9:45:19 AM

Niagara Falls,NY

My patch is so wet I can't even get near it.I don't even know if I'm going to be able to plant this year!:(

4/18/2011 10:08:23 AM

Macomb County

I'm home today, watching the snow coming down outside my window. 2-4 inches today. Maybe this is going to be the season of the container grown pumpkin?

4/18/2011 10:44:21 AM

Southeast

My 1068 Wallace is growing very well Brooks. No problems here. Dave

4/18/2011 11:19:49 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

well at least under the plastic its warm and dry other than that it wet and cold darn snow..

4/18/2011 11:21:24 AM

West Chazy,N.Y.

If it ever warms up here in Northern NY I'll get started!
Still cold (25) deg. and still snowing!

4/18/2011 11:45:45 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I'm glad you posted this Brooks, I have a water issue with my patch as it is. The area is on a slight hill and the water table is a bit strange. When it rains the water slowly trickles down the patch and the driveway making it look like a small water fall on the driveway. It soften things up and clumps it all up. I was getting frustrated with it and I feel a little better now that the others are feeling it to.

4/18/2011 12:48:35 PM

[email protected]

I've had the same issues, every time we try to get up there since we turned the cover crop it either rains or snows, argh!

4/18/2011 1:15:20 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

BrookZ.....Sudan grass is not so picky......so go for growing grass....my grass is UP.....

4/18/2011 2:08:24 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Brooks, I only have 1 of 3 patches ready to go. Usually my patches are ready by now. I only need a few hours each to get them ready.

My first year with a tractor has already saved several hours hand rototilling. Had one patch amended and tilled in less than an hour last week. Hoops up and cables buried then good to grow.

I figure the season this year is 7 to 10 days behind normal. Still have plenty of time yet.

I might consider starting my backups any day now. Having a green house the last couple of years has been a huge plus. I can start the plants and not worry about them heading out doors.

4/18/2011 8:05:45 PM

Polson, Montana

snowing like crazy here; I am so tired of this white s.

4/18/2011 8:45:25 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

It snowed all day yesterday and an hour today.-5 degrees celcius last night.If you convert that to farenheit (That's pretty cold). I think maybe the cold weather is a blessing because the farmers almanac is forcasting cold right to the end of June this year!! Maybe late planting would be helpful. Last year I pollinated my firt pumpkin on June 22. No way in hell that's going to happen this year!!

Phat Joe

4/18/2011 8:53:34 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

It's funny, even with the crappy weather I'm about a month a head of where I was the last couple of years.
I started working my garden about 10 days into May and had my plants in the ground On May 24th last year. I usually go for a later start and the plants usually catch up quite nicely to some of the earlier starters out there.
I'm interested to see how my earlier start will go for me this year.
Brooks, It's tough seeing other people with plants in the ground alreay...but I keep reminding myself...easy does it...easy does it. Still got lots of time.

4/18/2011 10:20:26 PM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA ([email protected])

I think that if we could just get these darn plants to start taking in some glycol solution we could all start them in february...lol.just kidding! I did get the patch tilled over once on sat. Even while it was lightly raining but just waiting to get one more in before they hit the dirt!!
By the way...I say hogwash to the proponents of global warming..this weather is crazy cold and wet!!!
There's my 2 cents and I feel better now :)
Good luck all!!! Erik

4/18/2011 10:24:09 PM

Bloomington, IN

Walking around the patch in my t-shirt today (got up to 72F) I couldn't believe it was snowing at the Indiana/Michigan border, then I saw this:

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/brianmo/ec_curtemp_720x486.jpg

Good luck to you growers to the north.

4/18/2011 11:32:34 PM

Lloydminster/AB

We still have snow on the ground! Our temps are 10C below normal. Few days above freezing. Gonna be tough but I'm starting seeds anyway. I'm way too stupid to give up!

4/18/2011 11:33:27 PM

Puyallup, WA

And to think that no one here has mention the prognostications of that POS Al Gore! We're 10° below "normal" daily highs as well. The patch is saturated from 2X the rain and soil temps are at 54°.
It's going to be a "close call" this year...for sure!

The Global Warming Theory is a POS!

4/19/2011 12:27:36 AM

Onawa,Iowa

I'm doing what Zappa did big tarps to keep snow
and rain off for the last five weeks. Heat cables
been down & running, fair kins look outstanding.
Ground temps where 55 at 8-10 inches and wet.
Snow forecast 1-3" next 36 hours and more rain all week.
63 average high for dogpatch, not this "SPRING"
I'm with Stan Global Warming my a$$ more like
tornado warning fits this area.Good luck all in 2011.

4/19/2011 1:58:35 AM

valparaiso, in

I feel your pain Brooks. I normally dont get to till until the end of the month here. Lake Effect is tough to beat sometimes.

4/19/2011 2:18:42 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Brooks...way too wet to get in the patch here too!!! I feel yer pain!!! Peace, Wayne

4/19/2011 3:21:51 AM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I'm with you!! John-D-Farmer. You know what "they" say. Patience is your greatest virtue. I'm not sure who "they" are but maybe we should listen!! Another saying "the early bird catches the worm" There are no worms at -5 degrees C so you might as well stay in bed!!! (and wait)

Phat Joe

4/19/2011 6:10:10 AM

Linden,PA

Haven't been able to touch my patch yet this spring. Another 1 1/2 this past weekend with rain last night,today and tomorrow!
The weather man said we've had 13 inches of rain since the beginning of March.
The local farmers haven't been able to do much in their fields either.

4/19/2011 6:12:29 AM

Okla

Brooks the only thing I can think of is get a big roll of clear plastic and unroll it over your patch and weigh it down good. It should dry enough to work whenever you get a chance.You might also put some small blocks in different places under the plastic so that it will heat the soil somewhat.

4/19/2011 6:31:21 AM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

Thomas- I'd be worried that if you cover your garden with clear plastic, the moisture won't be able to evaporate and soil will stay wet. If only they woud make giant de-humidifiers for giant pumpkins for people with giant ideas!!!

Phat Joe

4/19/2011 6:41:03 AM

Corbin, KY

cover when it rains and uncover when the sun shines. I have done it before.

4/19/2011 10:10:06 AM

Sunday was the 4th day in the last 53 that it didn't rain here. Not that I'm counting.

The good news is there hasn't been much in the way of ice or snow with which to contend. The bad news is the moss now growing on I-5 is just as slippery.

4/19/2011 11:06:24 AM

Southeast

My tilled winter rye is starting to grow back nicely !

4/19/2011 1:22:13 PM

Taber, Alberta

Don, I'm with you on this. I need at least 2 weeks of perfect weather to get into the garden, but looking at the forecast, I know that's probably not going to happen. The only time I don't have to look at a flooded patch, is when it's covered with a foot of snow, not including the 4 foot snowdrift that still has not melted yet.

That said, you have to be optimistic to grow where we do, and I have started my seeds...and a big lineup of backups ready to be started.

4/19/2011 3:50:27 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Finally got the patch tilled yesterday. It sleeted today and hopefully it'll be dry enough on Thursday to finally get the amendments added!

4/19/2011 5:39:57 PM

Preston CT

Still soggy here. My rye is growing good! I hope to till in all my ammendments around the 1st weekend in May and then get the plants in their hoop houses. It looks as though I will be behind this year but hope to have bigger plants with better hoop houses and heat sources!

4/19/2011 7:27:33 PM

Adams County

Where is Noah????????

4/19/2011 7:51:21 PM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

Snow here today.Spring made a wrong turn!

4/19/2011 7:59:15 PM

Okla

Last I saw of him he was building and gathering,,, LOL

4/19/2011 7:59:43 PM

Weedville,pa

trying to get an early plant in for practice/possible county fair entry and I think all I'm doing is making an absolute mess.

4/19/2011 10:22:04 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

bill, Noah is in my backyard...hanging onto a light post...just stuck my head out, and heard him say...sorry, only 2!!! Peace, Wayne

4/19/2011 11:40:57 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

We got more rain here again. Im sure in August well be saying " boy we need some rain" but in April its getting like Niagra Falls in R.I.

4/20/2011 12:07:49 AM

Columbus,ohio

the way thr soul is at my patch dont see getting in there for awhile.

4/20/2011 12:19:53 AM

Columbus,ohio

soil*

4/20/2011 12:20:04 AM

Portland, Or.

Good topic of discussion. Almost posted something similar last weekend. There are still Some leaves still in the patch, but my clay soil was much too wet to get the tiller in there.
Decided to turn as much of the patch over as possible by hand.
It was a pain, but best way to work the soil without damaging it.

Hang in there all Spring's got to be around the corner!

4/20/2011 1:04:27 AM

Ohio

With all this wet weather everyone is having I think your going to see alot of plants getting hit with the seed corn maggots this year, be extra careful of them this year, extremely wet and cold conditions is what they love, take caution if you can.

4/20/2011 5:25:15 AM

Ct

I am at a stand still for the new patch. End of the fall I had a patch cleared from the woods. Before I could start clearing rocks and get a soil test it froze solid. Now its too wet to work.

I will be late in this patch but I will get it going soon.

PG

4/20/2011 6:03:22 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I know that it seems like it will never end. Please everyone don't get discouraged about the weather all we need is a few sunny days to dry everything up. keep the motivation going and better weather will arrive. I was lucky that I was able to get into the patch the day it began to pour. as soon as it poured I was done tilling stay strong.

4/20/2011 8:56:22 AM

canal winchester ohio

just picked up 3 more inches or rain last night. Woke up at 2 am to see my hoop houses putting up a good fight to 70 mile an hour winds. Very little damage ( knock on wood).

4/20/2011 11:00:05 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I was lucky to get my patch amended and tilled just prior to the onset of all this rain, but some I'm sure has leached. The potassium and magnesium should remain, but some of the benefit of the kelp meal may have been lost and Imidacloprid will need to be re-applied. Fortunately, I waited to apply the Subdue G until just before planting.

From the look of things, a slow dry-out and warm-up should occur after the upcoming weekend. While it may be frustrating right now, keep the faith. Unless you're growing for early fairs, there's not much lost if you don't get planted until the first week of May.

I just hope all this rain early doesn't mean a hot dry summer.

4/20/2011 11:09:19 AM

Pemberton, BC

I tilled my patch last weekend and in spots tilled in about 6 inches of snow in with it,just couldn't stand looking at it any longer!

Snowed yesterday, but didn't stick. Last night was the first clear night we had without frost. It's gonna be a while for me.

4/20/2011 11:22:28 AM

[email protected]

I'm in the same boat as many. It snowed Sunday and has rained every day since, or so I have been told. I have zero spring prep done right now.

4/20/2011 12:13:10 PM

Ohio

I agree Joe, still plenty of time left.

This year I wanted to try and have a couple plants in the ground by the 24th, just to see if it would make any difference come pollination time and also for the end of season pumpkin growth .(like it did for Chris and his 1810 that he grew that was planted outside May 26th.

I wanted to try and have most of my pollination's done around or before June 27th this year, and thats just because of last seasons troubles that I had trouble pollinating plants up into real late in July.

4/20/2011 4:13:21 PM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

No spring prep work done here either. Its getting old real fast and there is heavy rains in the forecast again tonight.

4/20/2011 4:26:09 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Oh BrookZ....better get started....BiZ prepped hiZ patch, got hiZ hoopZ up, ammendments in.......

CHA CHA Cha

4/20/2011 5:32:47 PM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA ([email protected])

Just remember everybody what kevin bacon says during the parade in animal house "ALL IS WELL!!!ALL IS WELL!!
Lol

4/20/2011 5:55:53 PM

Midway, UT

Move to Denver Brooks. Lots of good ski snow in the hills but metro Denver has been bone dry this Spring. A couple of light rain showers the last few days but nothing else.

4/20/2011 6:51:13 PM

canal winchester ohio

Joe, please tell me which forcast your watching. Everyone I see has us not having more than one dry day in a row thru next Friday.

4/21/2011 4:56:23 PM

East Jordan, MI

Paul, I think Joe was watching the weather channel report -- from the Middle East.

I saw the same report you did. Rain every day until next Thursday. Good news is my ark is almost complete and almost all of the animals have gathered.

4/21/2011 7:28:44 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Relatively speaking, one dry day means that there will be a break in the rain. As I said, a SLOW dry-out. Can't a brotha make another brotha feel better?

4/21/2011 9:01:51 PM

canal winchester ohio

That's Joe, Mr. positive thinker...gotta luv'em..lol

4/21/2011 10:23:36 PM

[email protected]

Do you know what is better than rain? Rain and snow mix! 2.41" of rain headed to my patch this weekend, at least that is what Accuweather says. Does anyone have any giant rice seed?

4/22/2011 12:30:18 PM