Forecasted Freezing Temps Should Pause Planting
April 20, 2021
From Bruce Steelman, UT Extension Office
We keep sliding back into a ‘below normal’ temperature pattern for April, and close to freezing temperatures with rain in this week’s forecast has created some concern about viability of corn and soybeans planted this week. Based on current weather reports, nighttime temperatures are forecasted to be close to freezing Tuesday and Wednesday night with some rain expected Tuesday in west Tennessee. Any time soil temperatures drop below 40 degrees, there can be a severe impact on corn and soybean seed planted prior to the cold temperature. Corn and soybean seed are actually sensitive to soil and soil water temperatures below 50 F during the first 36-48 hours of planting (corn) or 24 hours of planting (soybean). Seed planted into moist soil will start to imbibe water quickly. ‘Imbibition’ (rapid water uptake) under cold conditions during the critical first hours of ge
Freezing Temperatures Can Damage Fruit and More
April 2, 2021
By Bruce Steelman, UT Extension Agent for Cannon County
Temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing during the next few days. Most fruit crops are in are either in bloom, close to bloom, or at petal fall. The critical temperatures at which damage would be expected to occur on various crops are:
Strawberries: popcorn bud (buds are swollen & beginning to open) – 28°F, full bloom – 30°F, after bloom and fruit developing – 28°F
Apples & pears: pink bud and beyond – 28°F for 30- minutes or longer would be expected to result in about 10% bud kill