Editor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team
Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is
included.
The
expression “the early bird catches the worm” is well known by most
vegetable growers. This is particularly important in regions like
Michigan where climatic conditions restrict the growing season to a very
short window for most vegetables. Because of the potential of frost
damage in Michigan, most vegetable crops are usually planted within a
narrow window of time. For most of the growers, the crops reach maturity
at the same time and the harvest time is synchronized. Ultimately, all
growers hit the market simultaneously. The peak in produce supply is
normally followed by a significant drop in the price paid to growers.
Growers who get in the market earlier (early birds) or later (late
birds?) may take advantage of a better price. This note deals mainly
with season extension strategies for earliness. Earliness usually
involves planting the crop earlier than the rest of the industry.
Therefore, growers who shoot for earliness take the risk of crop damage
from late frost.
Here are a few tips that could help minimize the risk of frost damage.
1. Avoid planting in low spots of the field.
Frost damage usually occurs first in the low spots of the field. Because
cold air is heavier than hot air, cold air settles down and flows like
water, while the hot air rises.
2. Plant frost tolerant species
Plant frost tolerant species when the risk of frost is highest.
3. Use transplants.
Transplants grown in the greenhouse will give a head start when planted
in the field. Transplants should be hardened off adequately to minimize
transplant shock in the field.
4. Use short season varieties.
Early varieties could mature a few days (or weeks) earlier than a
conventional one. A better price could offset other aspects like reduced
yield.
5. Use black plastic mulch.
Raised beds covered with black plastic mulch will warm the soil and
speed up plant growth and maturity. Growers could gain a couple of days
in earliness and also benefit from better quality of produce with
plastic mulch.
6. Use row covers.
Row covers increase air temperature around the crop. It is important to
know that row covers do not provide full protection against frost
damage.
7. Avoid spots with poor drainage.
Since water normally flows downward, chances are that field spots that
are usually flooded are also low spots where cold air will settle.
8. Be ready for irrigation.
Use overhead irrigation to prevent the formation of ice on plant tissue.
9. Follow weather advisory reports.
Frost advisory information is available at local and regional weather stations.
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