Central Michigan vegetable update - June 26, 2019

Frederick Springborn, Michigan State University Extension - June 26, 2019

Progress continues, but is generally slow with a great deal of variability in crop condition and growth.

Blossoming potato field — Potatoes are blossoming and beginning to close rows in this field planted in late April. Photo by Fred Springborn, MSU Extension.

Weather

Soil moisture and drainage issues continue as many soils remain wet. There have been a few instances where irrigation has begun on very well drained soils planted to potatoes. For many crops, the lack of heat remains a big concern as crops are developing slowly. High temperatures have been in the mid- to upper- 70s this week, with scattered rain showers covering most areas with anywhere from a few tenths to an inch or more with some localized areas receiving more than 2 inches.

Crops

Emerging potatoes in field — These potatoes planted in mid-June are just emerging. Photo by Fred Springborn, MSU Extension.

Potato planting is complete. Hilling and sidedressing continues with a few of the early fields closing the rows and blossoming. Potato emergence has been slower than usual with the cooler soil temperatures experienced this spring.

Planting of peas is generally complete. Early fields continue to blossom and are beginning to set pods. Growth continues to be slow, as one grower noted this week, the early planted peas would normally be close to harvest by now.

Sweet corn planting is generally complete. As with grain corn in the area, this crop has suffered the effects of the cool, cloudy weather. Many plantings continue to show symptoms of nitrogen deficiency, as well as other nutrients that have likely been lost due to leaching or denitrification. Use caution when scouting and diagnosing foliar symptoms as oxygen depleted soils have not allowed adequate root growth.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).