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Hudsonville, Michigan (michiganpumpkins@sbcglobal.net)

Hey all:
Due to abnormally high temps in Michigan in June & July so far, soil temps have been hovering in the upper 90s and hit 100F the other day. I can only presume this is bad for the plants, and good for harmful microbes. Any suggestions on how to manage that problem? Additionally, I've had several vine tips fry on me and some leaves are scorched. This heat also makes it tougher to spray without risk of burning the plants. I've been misting the plants in the afternoon, and in retrospect, some shade cloth would have been a good idea this year. Just wondering if any of you hot weather growers have any suggestions...how hot is too hot (soil temp). And what do you do to manage it without waterlogging your soil and feeding the bad microbes?
Frank

7/13/2005 1:19:58 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Mulch?

7/13/2005 4:39:52 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

I can't imagine the soil temps being that high, more than an inch or two deep? what the hell do I know. But mulch sounds reasonable to me.

7/13/2005 10:27:15 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan (michiganpumpkins@sbcglobal.net)

Yeah, some mulch might do the trick...didn't think of that. Those soil temps are taken at a 2" depth...I'm hoping the high temps are pushing my roots deeper to get away from the extreme heat...

7/14/2005 6:13:12 AM

Oz

straw,paper,umbrellas,,,

7/14/2005 8:51:05 AM

Montoursville, PA

I use hay as opposed, to straw because, it is better than manure when it rots or is tilled into the soil. That hay was not run through the cow yet.

Weed seeds someone will surely challenge! No more or less than undigested poop manure delivers. More mulch smothers new weed growth so just add some more mulch.

7/14/2005 11:20:56 AM

Chico, Ca

we get 80F soil temp under shade cloth and using misters...air temp is still in the 90' though our temp above the cloth is 107 F. today.

7/14/2005 9:38:56 PM