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Sugar Hill , Georgia

I see all these low temps this week and I'm wondering could this allow the plants to be more resistant to cold later in the growing season and also when it does warm up will these seedlings be stunted or slow to grow due to the cold

4/9/2012 8:42:32 AM

Fenton, MI

What I have seen here in Michigan is the cool temps just slow the plant down. I have not seen any resistants to the cold in the fall. But the melons are bigger and plants are older in the fall so they grow slower any way.

4/9/2012 5:10:39 PM

President - GPC

If that waZ the case..We would have the strongest plantZ around....lol

4/9/2012 5:58:50 PM

Hamilton Nj

i had 35 hear in south jersey 3 days ago ,glad i waited!!! 2 more weeks!!!

4/9/2012 6:23:11 PM

Polson, Montana

I had 25 here. It is not spring here.

4/9/2012 7:00:09 PM

sevierville, Tn

suppose to freeze here wednesday morning ! frost tonight !

4/9/2012 7:10:38 PM

Z- If your plants survive and appear stunted, there is no reason to add extra fertilizer and over fertilize. Your surviving plants will start to grow as soon as the soil warms.

4/9/2012 8:52:48 PM

formerly RGG

I have placed blanket tents over my largest plants tonight.The Hid lights are burning inside the blankets so the plants may find this warmer than normal and hopefully never miss a beat. I will have to cover all of the planted melon plants for the next several nights and bring the remaining potted melon plants inside. I don't consider this much of a problem. I will try my best to do whatever it takes to keep these plants healthy and growing at a reasonable pace.Zlatic,some kinds of stress can help to make a plant more vigorous.But I don't think that cold stress is one that will help in any way.

4/9/2012 10:11:14 PM

Sugar Hill , Georgia

So what is the reccomended material you would cover with tonight? I have 35 which has been the lowest in months coming in tonight , but after that it's smooth sailing with day temps in 80's and nights in 60's , p.s I'm in georgia

4/10/2012 8:52:37 AM

Z- I would cover the plants with pine straw.

4/10/2012 11:06:14 AM

Muddy Waters

Fill a couple gallon jugs with hot water,& place next to plant & put a laundry basket or box over plant,then cover with 2-3 blankets or tarps.This is if its to far to run a electric cord to your patch.In that case a drop lite with a cover like aluminum foil to block lite will work.You need to try & keep it 50 degrees if possible,a couple days wont hurt,if it last for days the plant will start to decline.

4/10/2012 6:31:23 PM

formerly RGG

I built some 4' square wooden frames to cover with plastic and more if needed for a very cold snap. But we never got one. So I am covering with a grow light sitting on milk cases and a quilt over the whole thing anchored down with bricks. This should keep the plants toasty warm down into the lower 30's. I covered my tomato plants up with plastic buckets. There are many good ways to protect plants from a little frost.

4/10/2012 9:25:05 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, why do you recommend blocking the light ? I mean, do you think that light during the night is going to disturb the plant or what ? I am puzzled.

4/10/2012 9:27:11 PM

Bowdon, GA

I know some northern growers like to start early to have time to finish in the fall, but here you can grow up till October if needed. I have never found an advantage of planting early in Georgia. I have tried different dates but found that a plant set out first of May will catch and pass a plant set out in March or April (in the same patch). You also need as young of a plant as possible to make it through the hot temps in August. If you wait to late however it gets hard to set fruit without frozen water bottles. Starting seeds end of April and setting plants out the first of May has worked best for me so far.

4/10/2012 9:29:45 PM

Sugar Hill , Georgia

How long will it take for the soil to warm once the temps reach the 80's , and how long after should I mulch , I almost made the mistake of mulching early thinking it would warm the soil

4/10/2012 9:51:30 PM

formerly RGG

Jake,due to the many mistakes I made, it was mid July before I could get a set on some of my plants last year. So I figured if I got an extra early start this year I would be a lot better off. I never dreamed of getting the kind of start I seem to be getting this spring.I have lots of concern, but I am all in for going with the wonderful plants I have growing. If I do not have spectacular results I will never go for such an early start again.I think I will not allow any melons to set on before the first of June unless the plants have already occupied all the room I have allowed for them. That would give me some very mature melons by the time the Bear Wallow contest rolls around.

4/10/2012 10:11:54 PM

formerly RGG

Zlatic, I already have my "mulch" applied. I put down black landscaping fabric. It controls weeds and it's black color absorbs sunlight and helps to warm my soil.

4/10/2012 10:14:04 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

TD. Kul beans...."Bear Wallow" might get to be an impressive CC weighoff site!!! Just think of the possibilities...Superman Chris, Frank, Bill, & the VanHooks (KPM boys),(oh yeah Dwight & Tim) then add yer self, & the Carolina Gang!!! Maybe we can entice Mr. Bright to bring a lil melon up!!! Peace, Wayne
Oops, Handy has been to Kentucky before, so don't count him out!!! Double Oops, some guy from Texas was there last year too!!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...almost crucified my self!!!! Mizz Bend, and that Zuerner LADY!!!! Are IMHO prbly the tough competition!!!!

4/11/2012 2:53:58 AM

Muddy Waters

Whats the date for Bear waller this year PW?

4/11/2012 7:17:28 AM

Muddy Waters

Yes TD,I try to keep things like nature intended,The plant doesnt need light at nite,so why confuse it.

4/11/2012 7:20:03 AM

formerly RGG

Because they like a lot of light Mark. That's all.

4/11/2012 7:41:17 AM

Muddy Waters

Before I start a lite a nite debate Dennis,Let me say I dont know if it hurts to have lite 24/7,I'm not an X-spurt on this matter.Just saying I would not do it.

4/11/2012 7:45:24 AM

formerly RGG

Mark, I have proof they like a lot of light at night. That is all I am saying.

4/11/2012 8:17:34 AM

Piqua, Ohio

I have grow lights on mine 24 hours for the first 2 weeks, then switch to 18 light and 6 dark when they go outside. I turn the light on at 4 a.m. I was told by a man who owns a comm. greenhouse the 24 hour light promotes vegitation (leaf growth) when you switch to 18 and 6 it shocks them into vining. I use this method on everything I grow seems to work for me! To each his own!

4/11/2012 8:53:01 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks for speaking up Josh.

4/11/2012 9:15:08 PM

Sugar Hill , Georgia

Frost advisory but temps at 37 degrees? Any care to explain ?

4/11/2012 10:35:13 PM

formerly RGG

Explain what Z ?

4/12/2012 7:42:38 AM

Muddy Waters

When it gets that cold 37 degrees,these temps are usually taken near Airports or City's where a lot of asphalt & concrete are present & cause temps to be warmer a couple degrees on sunny days.Out in the country there are low spots that can be a few degrees cooler.My patch is in a low spot.I can have frost here in my patch.But there will be none on higher grounds in the area.There just playing it safe for the entire area.Thats all.Its always 3-5 degrees cooler at night here then what my weather man is claiming.

4/12/2012 8:03:02 AM

formerly RGG

Frost is very possible at 37 degrees anywhere it is that cold and a couple of other conditions are met. If we are cold enough, down to the dew point and it isn't windy we may have frost.

4/12/2012 8:51:31 AM

Sugar Hill , Georgia

I was just wondering how frost could occur at temps above 32 , but it was answered thanks guys ,

4/12/2012 12:22:21 PM

formerly RGG

Yes, there is a little micro climate around some areas on the ground or a windshield or whatever where the actual temperature falls below that of the adjacent air. The frost is indeed frozen and the temperature of it is below 32 degrees. :o)

4/12/2012 12:54:45 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

showers of rain and hail today weird weather.

4/12/2012 2:21:44 PM

Sugar Hill , Georgia

Tennessee dreamer do you reccomend any organic material over the landscape fabric? And would you leave holes in it fOr each hill or each Plant? Any tips to avoid rotting underneath withe the fabric?

4/16/2012 12:59:54 PM

formerly RGG

I recommend only fabric. I have used straw on top of my fabric several times and even that sometimes causes vine rot.I leave about 2' on each side of my plants uncovered and I usually cut a few holes under some of my vines to allow easier rooting. If you use fabric you should not have any problems with rot.

4/16/2012 6:27:43 PM