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Bristol R.I. USA

It's again that time of year, Times when its hot or damp and cool out. Right now My plants seem to be slow moving and a lighter shade of green. I'm wondering if perhaps a small dose of nitrogen would help them a bit. Without soil warming cables it's really dificult to warm the soil up. I understand that this time of year the colder temps can inhibit nitrogen and phospherouse. Is this true?

5/12/2013 10:17:20 AM

East Jordan, MI

I wouldnt be overly concerned if they are growing. Adding N when the plant is young can burn roots so be careful -- go lite if you decide to do it. We always have some that are pale if the weather is cold. But when things warm up they always come out of it. Because of this we use heating cables now. You can use warm water if you can water, plastic around the plant will use the sun to heat the ground considerably and a small hoop of some kind will take any sun that you have and heat the area inside -- be careful about leaving it completely enclosed on a sunny day as it will get VERY hot and cook the plant. Good luck!

5/12/2013 10:35:09 AM

Piqua, Ohio

yes sir cold soil= slow nitrogen release

5/12/2013 10:35:31 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Right now I have candles in the hoopes and have added a growing light and heaters (small). balance between heat and good growing and stupidity. lol

5/12/2013 12:04:18 PM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

Cold to cool soil temperatues will cause a lighter shade to the leaves, don't worry they will darken with warming temperatures. The big concern with hoophouses and plant protection devices this early in the season is overheating your leaf canopy with a quick sunny warmup especially early in they day when the ground temperatures will lag behind the air temperature. The plant can't move moisture and nutrients fast enough to keep up with the rapid rise in air temps, you'll notice it when the leaves begin to flag. I have a rule I use up here in Alaska, if in doubt always opt on the side of the keeping the plant cool and ventilated. You can recover from a cool hardened off plant versus a heat cooked plant. On top of that the plant is some what sturdier as a result. Don't make a fatal mistake early in the season due to impatience.

5/12/2013 5:15:57 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Great advise J.D.
Kenny remember Pap saying slow and steady.

5/13/2013 8:17:12 AM

Upa Creek, MO

It's so early, listen to the above. Also, sometimes less doctoring is better. This year my plants have been lucky to get checked on once a day and they are the biggest\best they have looked for May 13th I've had.

5/13/2013 9:21:46 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

my first true leaf went down with the temp at 30. Some year the first out night of a plant will be without trauma.

5/13/2013 6:49:51 PM

Rhode Island

kenny-----soil heating cables are needed .nothing beats warm soil for the young plants.air tep is great but below ground is where the action begins.

5/15/2013 8:27:18 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Pap, I totally agree every year I say I'm gonna get soil heating cables and every year It just falls away. Next year I'm certainly gonna invest in them.

5/15/2013 9:54:02 AM