Saginaw Bay area vegetable regional report – May 7, 2014

Most field transplants are still in the greenhouse, while greenhouse production plants are well underway.

Weather

Michigan State University Enviro-weather precipitation meters today have accumulated 0.01 inches in Linwood, Michigan; 0.19 inches in Frankenmuth, Michigan; 0.24 inches in Lapeer, Michigan; and 0.41 inches in Romeo, Michigan. The chance for more rain decreases throughout the day. Tomorrow, May 8, will bring some heat from the southwest and unseasonably warm temperatures. It could be a good day for some field work before more rain is predicted on Friday, May 9. The weekend should dry out as well.

Crop reports

Sweet corn planting has been ongoing for bare ground and plasticulture operations. Corn under plastic has sprouted.

Strawberries are going in with mulch and row covers for frost protection.

Greenhouse tomatoes are beginning to bear fruit and preventative disease control measures are being taken by removing lower leaves. Commercial bumble bee hives are doing a good job pollinating inside, but may require pollen supplementation to calm them down before flowers bloom.

Greenhouse string beans are just starting to vine and are about 4 inches tall with two full leaves. Michigan State University Extension suggests this is now the time to build and place trellises if not done already.

Greenhouse cucumbers are at the two full leaf stage.

Asparagus is due to harvest within the next two weeks.

Hothouse rhubarb is nearly ready for harvest.

Pepper and cabbage transplants are still in greenhouses, with some cabbage ready to go into the ground in the next week.

Onions have been seeded in muck ground along with some lettuce and lettuce transplants.

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