Saginaw Bay area vegetable regional report – June 4, 2014

Growers are catching up with planting and some greenhouse harvesting has begun.

Sweet corn planted on the same day under clear perforated plastic alone (left) and clear perforated plastic plus a spun bonded polypropylene floating row cover (right).
Sweet corn planted on the same day under clear perforated plastic alone (left) and clear perforated plastic plus a spun bonded polypropylene floating row cover (right).

Rainfall and growing degree day (GDD) base 50 degrees Fahrenheit accumulations as of June 4, 2014, from Michigan State University Enviro-weather stations at the following Bay and Thumb are vegetable growing regions are as follows:

The average rainfall in most locations isn’t far beyond the five-year average, but has been spaced in such a way that has made optimal soil conditions difficult for continuous planting.

In my Michigan State University Extension visits to the major Macomb, Lapeer and Bay county vegetable areas, my best estimates of crop planting progress are below.

Sweet corn is at 60 percent and in various stages in all regions.

Cabbages and greens are at 85 percent, but only half of that was truly transplanted early because of weather, and the rest is being transplanted late alongside warm-season crops.

Lettuce is nearly 100 percent transplanted. Seeding is still underway.

Carrots are at 50 percent and catching up fast.

Onions are nearly 100 percent in all regions. Transplants are farther along with three to five leaves and seeded fields are about 2-3 inches tall.

String, bush and wax beans are 80 percent field seeded and transplanted in the Bay area and 0-30 percent in the Thumb area. Greenhouse beans are climbing.

Melons and summer squash are 50-70 percent transplanted in the Bay area and 0-30 percent in the Thumb area. All regions are at the two to four leaf stage.

Tomatoes and peppers are the same as melons in the field. Transplants are getting very leggy and sometimes flowering with possible nutrient deficiencies from being held back in plug trays too long due to poor planting conditions. Greenhouse tomatoes are bearing green fruit.

Slicing cucumbers are the same as melons in the field. Those that are staying in greenhouses are already flowering and fruiting.

Pickling cucumbers are at 10 percent in the Bay area. Greenhouse hand-picks are flowering and fruiting.

Table beets, radishes, turnips and celery root are nearly 100 percent in the Bay area and 0-40 percent in Thumb area.

Winter squash and pumpkins are underway.

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