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No Place Special

I have heard many growers comment on how crappy this spring has been. It seems that much of the US and Canada have been colder than normal and some have had a ton of rain. I have read many comments that plant growth is way behind the norm. I was just wondering how many are behind due to the weather and if there is anyone out there who has had a better than normal spring? I think i read in another post that the west cost is doing great and the east cost is behind? Anyhow, just wondering how everyone is being affected by the weather. Mike Frantz

6/13/2003 11:23:43 PM

No Place Special

Here in my part of Iowa we have had a cool and semi- wet spring. The rain was nice because we were in drought like conditions from the dry winter but it meant a lack of sun and in turn a lack of warmth. Today was in the low 80's with a ton of sun and the 6 day forecast is more of the same!!!! About time! I could almost watch the plants grow today.

6/13/2003 11:33:46 PM

We have been getting the flood/drought weather. It's dry for a long time, then "when it rains it pours". But mostly the rain and some more rain. Oh and don't forget the rain. Chance of showers. Rain Rain Go Away. I feel a sprinkle. Drip drip. The itsy bitsy spider is washed down the rain spout but the sun never came out to dry up all the rain.

That was most of our spring.

Now like Mike said it's finally getting sunny. Grow babies grow.

Brigitte

6/14/2003 12:00:35 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Rain,Rain,Rain,Rain. seems like it never ends. We might get one or two days of nice weather but not much sunshine. On a dry day, there is a lot of cloud cover. A couple weeks ago we where -21 below normal. Thats with day time and night time averages. My plants are way behind as with other growers here in New York and Penn.

6/14/2003 12:17:34 AM

Sequim, WA

Waaa waaa waaa, it's raining outside and I can't play in my garden!!!! Sheesh, it seems like the Northeast is having a typical Pacific Northwet spring. Guess what? It's OK, the plants will be fine. These are typical conditions for us in this part of the country and we seem to manage to kick out a few decent pumpkins most years. This is what a cloche is for, you control the water and moderate the temperature. Here we've dried out for a few weeks and roasted for a couple days. Not typical for us in the spring at all, but you don't hear us complaining now do you? Heh heh heh.... When you guys and gals finally do dry out you'll be back to your warm nights while ours will be in the mid 50's and low 60's as usual. These plants are more adaptable to different climatic conditions than most of the growers it seems. We've had on and off showers all day and I'm pleased. I didn't have to water anything today. Stop the whining already, it's starting to sound like a swarm of mosquitoes in here. Where's my bug spray anyway?

6/14/2003 12:18:18 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

It sucks

6/14/2003 12:19:13 AM

What was that post about "serious growers"???....I'm not whining; I'm just having good old fun complaining about the weather. Do you think we really sit here and say " $%@&* weather!" When I finally dry out, my night temps will be just where they have been... mid 50's.....By the way, the bugs actually have been bad this year in my area...swat! Ouch.

6/14/2003 1:08:32 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

This looks like the break we need in NJ...finally gonna clear out and get some sun. temperatures are still below normal but the sun will help! Clears up for Father's day! well alright here we go! Chuck

6/14/2003 7:03:11 AM

Leicester, NY

Mike,
It has been very wet here in the NE, but I think most growers are dealing with it quite well, maybe just a little behind. Warmer temp's, with lots of sun, are in forecast for the next few days and that should put the plants right on schedule..Joe P.

6/14/2003 7:53:48 AM

Montoursville, PA

The cold spell seems to have gone away. In the last four days my two plants went from a one foot vine to a five-six foot vine. We would like the sunshine back too!
docgipe in North Central Pennsylvania.

6/14/2003 8:45:22 AM

Manchester, N.h.

Wa,Wa,Wa,Yup that's what I'm doing. It's not even about my plants drowning it's also about being stuck in the house or indoors with the kids, dogs, cat, and husband. Spending quality time with the family is great and all but we need a bigger area. (like the outdoors) I realize the sun has to come out sometime but i'm afraid it'll be too late and we will have killed each other by then. That's all. Oh ya, does anyone have any cheese to go with my wine? lol...Flora

6/14/2003 8:56:40 AM

[email protected]

We've had 10 pumpkin growing days out of 45 since estabishment for a 75% total. This accoring to my Growing Degree Calculator & a reasonably consistant path of data entry. Like Kyle said. SUCKS! My boat hasn't been off it's trailer all year, but it's never been wetter!

Only plant that looks good is in the greenhouse.

Steve

6/14/2003 9:32:36 AM

[email protected]

Excuse me. 75% bad. 25% good.

6/14/2003 10:09:11 AM

Tipp City, Ohio

For the year we are still only 1.5" below normal. But it has rained for the past 40 Days and 40 Nights. Well, at least it seams like it. lol. We are finally getting "Ave." tempuratures but this rain has been something else lately. I expect to see an ark floating by any time in the next few days...Tom

6/14/2003 10:12:04 AM

Schenectady,New York

The weather here has been the same as the rest of the north east, in the last 30 days 75% wet, cool and cloudy. The cuke beetles are heavier than normal this year as well. I sure hope the weather gets back to normal soon. Ray

6/14/2003 10:17:27 AM

Wallingford,CT

Steve, I don't understand, whats wrong with the weather here? We have already had 5 days without measurable rain this month. The bad news is 'they' are predicting another rain free day tomorrow. Last month we only had 12 days without measurable rain and that left the monthly rainfall below the average for the previous 7 years. That shortage is made up by 46% over the 7 year average for this month already and its only day 14! I wish the weather did suck....suck all the rain out for a while.

6/14/2003 11:22:16 AM

Long Island,New York

I dont believe the rain here is any major amount more than usual. Its just that its extended over more continuous a period of time....when its not raining its threatening with full cloud cover and mist. Nothing dries out like a normal year would. And I do remember hearing quite the whining from some PNW located growers about 93 degree temps? Thats an average for july/August here and 98 can be expected a few times each summer here. The prob with the wet start is after the wet is over (please say it will be) we get back to tough severe clear which burns off the thin leaves...not the partial/obscured you PNW guys get...or the lower intensity northern light some get.Pre-lant ferts are likely washed away too...not something we expect or are prepared for here so much... Certainly I realize the tongue-in-cheek prodding by Mr. Tiller as good-hearted fun (so it this post btw...)...I'd do the same if I lost the world record that my region held for the first time in many many years...(hee-heee)...I think I have to check, but before Geneva wasnt the last PNW WR 1992?...lol....enjoy Tiller....remember the tortoise and the hare...lol........G

6/14/2003 12:08:11 PM

Manchester, N.h.

Unfortunatly LIpumpkin, I'm in the same boat as you (no pun intended) The analogy you use with the tortois and the hare is great but what if our tortoise drowns? Yes, I know we're not getting tons of rain but it seems to come down everyday. Yup, still whining, where's my cheese????

6/14/2003 12:40:32 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

Here in Oregon we have been having sun. The temps have been in the 80's. I want to send you guys and gals some of this nice weather.

6/14/2003 2:24:36 PM

ontario

Joe well said.......anyway it ain't over till the fat lady sings....don't rule out Canada folks....cloches are a wonderfully growing tool.....ooops SUN is out and the plants are singing praises........ :0).....wayne

6/14/2003 3:39:45 PM

Sequim, WA

Hairy tortoise's, singing fat ladies, bad weather and world records. My goodness we're coving a lot of ground on this one. I expect to go out and cover vines later this afternoon. Don't expect that record to stay in the East for long G, We have growers here who have done it before and can do it again. We're also picking up a few who are capable of it because they're moving to this region. We have one of Canada's top growers here now and another moving up from California next year. Lincoln is growing again and there are some up and comers that have been here that will give some of the old time heavy hitters a run for thier money this year.
It's 61¨¬☺☻¡Ûand overcast right now and that's fine. We had a very wet spring and had trouble getting into the patch to till early, a lot of growers just waited for things to dry out. A lot of folks don't realize that summers here after about July 8th are typically very dry, often very sunny and with moderate temperatures. We may be known for rain and clouds but your average annual rainfall in New York is higher than ours. We just tend to get ours spread out over more days. It once started raining in mid November a few years back and rained every day until early January. We still probably got less rain than places like Atlanta or Philly did in that time period. When we do dry out we just scrape the moss off of our hides and get out and enjoy the sunshine. Can't let the clouds and raindrops stop us from having our fun now can we? Ooohhh sun just popped out, I'm outta here.

6/14/2003 4:28:55 PM

[email protected]

Bart, just did some digging. So far this year since May 1st.

May 2003 rainfall total for Hamden = 4.13" seem normal.
June 2003 rainfall total for Hamden = 6.47" for 14 days?

GDD's on June 13, 2002 = 698
GDD's on June 13, 2003 = 471

My totals here are a little higher but that's usually the case. But no matter how you dice it, we were better off this time last year. I'd much rather be running irrigation than sitting here typing. After all, it's raining as I type.

Steve

6/14/2003 4:37:39 PM

Spanish Ontario

Been clear an cool evening,s daytime high,s 65 to 70 a chance of frost tonight june 14 after that every thing goes

6/14/2003 5:21:41 PM

Wallingford,CT

Steve, in my patch, Wallyworld (just north of Hamden for the rest of you),

May 2003 rainfall = 4.06" previous 7 year average = 4.20"
June 2003 rainfall = 5.32" previous 7 year average = 3.65"

as for the GDD's I haven't sorted that one out yet. As of June13 I get 739.3, 715, and 687.1 (3 different methods)but I don't have a clue if they are correct or not. Wish I undersood the references and constants so I could get it right. BTW, what are soil temp hours and what good are they if I knew how to calulate them?

Bart

6/14/2003 5:43:07 PM

Ontario

Q: How can you tell if a pumpkin grower is dead or not?
A: He stops bitchin' about the weather.

6/14/2003 7:57:37 PM

[email protected]

Bart,
For soil temp hours we do the same thing. Collect the low & the high. Establish a base line & deduct the average of the low & high from it. That calculator I sent you could do it. But we'd need a baseline temperature to start with. And of course a resettable high/low soil thermometer. I believe a standard probe would work as a sending unit. Just bury it.

The current means of calculating GDD's doesn't suit my own theory though. It fails to adjust for days where the high is held for a short period of time. Likewise highs (or lows)that are held for longer periods. I feel the length of time a high (or some value higher than base) is held needs to carry a weight that is coetaneous with the thermal energy being measured (like btu's) not just the peak value.

But that is the best we have at this time. Wanna write a better program?

Steve

6/14/2003 10:08:54 PM

huntsburg,ohio

best looking plants ever even with 13 inches of rain since may first.Jerry

6/14/2003 11:09:31 PM

Chico, Ca

Hey Tiller... California has some heavyhiters you overlooked. Last year we had three growers break 1000lb for the first time, Lest you forget folks like Greg Stucker, Pete Glasier, Jack Vezzollo. Who knows maybe even I will grow one over 1000lb. What Calif. lacks in cool weather we make up for in ingenuity! That record might come back to the west, but...It might just be further south then you think.

Oh and the weather here... Perfect! wet winter , stopped raining at the end af april, now unseasonably cool in the 80's. Look out!

Robert

6/15/2003 1:23:03 AM

Western Pa.

Cowpie,

What's the difference between a Giant Pumpkin grower, and a puppy?....................................Eventually, the puppy stops whining!

6/15/2003 3:56:53 AM

Ontario

That's funny kilr. I laughed so hard I dropped the slippers I was chewing up. Well, I think I'll drink a lot of water and go out to mark my territory. It may be sunny and warm today but it's too windy. Wimper, Whine etc.

6/15/2003 9:16:24 AM

Manchester, N.h.

There's this big bright thing in the sky. It's so warm and soothing. I'm guessing... could it be the SUN.......Yup I think it is.:):):):):):):):):):)WOW!!! It's like I had always imagined.
Have a wonderful day everyone and all you father's out there "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY"

Flora

6/15/2003 9:28:23 AM