State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 05/19/02 Issue NH-CW2002 Volume 22, Number 4 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) May 20, 2002 - 4 pm Agricultural Summary ANOTHER COOL, WET WEEK IN NEW ENGLAND For the week ending May 19, 2002, there were 4.1 days suitable for field work across New England. Topsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 6% short, 70% adequate, 23% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 7% very short, 20% short, 67% adequate, 6% surplus. Pasture condition was rated as 6% poor, 19% fair, 69% good, 6% excellent. Cool damp weather continued last week throughout most of New England. Rain slowed planting in some areas. Farmers are continually on the alert for frost. Major farm activities included: planting field corn, early vegetables, sweet corn, tobacco and potatoes; harvesting asparagus; spreading manure; seeding new alfalfa and grass hay; applying fertilizer; plowing and disking; fixing fences; irrigating orchards for frost protection. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year ---------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 1 3 24 Short 6 11 42 Adequate 70 72 34 Surplus 23 14 0 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 7 10 9 Short 20 22 33 Adequate 67 62 57 Surplus 6 6 1 ---------------------------------------------- Field Crops Report Potato planting in Maine was slowed last week due to the snow and rain showers. Massachusetts and Rhode Island potato growers neared completion with planting of this year's crop. All across New England, planting of field corn continued behind last year and 5-year average rates because of the wet weather. The cool temperatures slowed the growth of field corn planted in the previous week. Many fields were too wet to enter with machinery. Many hay fields will be ready for harvest shortly. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Fruit tree growers continued to monitor and prepare for cold temperatures at night and early mornings. Many orchard growers had to apply a protective spray to prevent frost damage. The cool, wet weather was not conducive to good pollination. Maine wild blueberry growers continued to apply pre-emergence fungicide for mummyberry disease. Massachusetts cranberry growers prepared for their first fungicide spray. VEGETABLES: Planting of sweet corn and other early spring crops continued. The lack of warm weather slowed the germination of seeds planted the previous weeks. Some farmers reported replanting of crops planted early in the season because of the cold weather. Some asparagus and spinach crops were harvested. Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND -------------------------------------------------------- Crop 2002 2001 5-yr Avg %Emrg Condition -------------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Planted -- Barley, ME 35 70 55 0 Good Oats, ME 30 50 50 0 Good Potatoes Maine 20 65 45 0 Fair Mass 80 80 80 20 Good/Fair Rhode Isl 95 90 85 25 Good/Excellent Silage Corn 25 55 35 <5 Fair/Good Sweet Corn 30 50 35 15 Fair/Good Tobacco Shade 5 0 <5 -- Good/Fair Dry Hay -- Percent Harvested -- First Cut 0 5 <5 -- Good --------------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ------------------------------------------------------- Crop Stage Fruit Set Condition ------------------------------------------------------- Apples Full Bloom Avg Good/Fair Peaches Petal Fall B.Avg Fair/Good Pears Petal Fall B.Avg/Avg Fair/Poor Blueberries Highbush Full/Early Bloom -- Good/Fair Wild, ME Early Bloom -- Good Cranberries,MA Bud -- Good Strawberries Early Bloom Avg/B.Avg Fair/Good ------------------------------------------------------- Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, May 19, 2002 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 21 75 45 -8 0.47 3.68 NH 13 79 45 -10 1.93 4.72 VT 23 78 44 -11 1.84 5.88 MA 27 81 51 -6 2.74 4.44 RI 32 77 52 -5 2.60 4.27 CT 30 82 52 -7 2.58 4.15 ---------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Weather Information Table Weather Summary For New England Agricultural Statistics Service Prepared By AWIS, Inc. For the Period: Monday May 13, 2002 To: Sunday May 19, 2002 AIR CUM SINCE MAR 1 TEMPERATURE GROWING DEGREE DAYS ----------- BASE-50F BASE-60F STATION LO HI AVG DFN TOT DFN TOT DFN ------- -- -- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- MAINE Albion 33 67 46 -11 69 -30 0 -5 Allagash 21 59 40 -11 6 -22 0 +0 Augusta_ME 36 66 48 -8 94 +8 4 +1 Bangor 40 65 48 -6 66 +6 2 +2 Barnard 36 62 45 -7 45 +1 0 +0 Bath 31 71 47 -7 60 +4 4 +4 Bethel 31 69 44 -11 88 +21 9 +8 Brassua_Dam 27 55 41 -8 14 -6 0 +0 Brunswick_ME 32 70 48 -6 75 +19 3 +3 Caribou 28 59 44 -8 29 -14 0 +0 Corinna 34 65 47 -7 69 +6 0 +0 Danforth 31 63 44 -8 33 -9 0 +0 Dover-Foxcroft 32 57 43 -10 20 -24 0 +0 Durham 30 72 47 -9 93 +7 10 +10 East_Hiram 30 74 45 -9 97 +30 13 +12 Eustis 31 62 41 -9 29 +5 0 +0 Frenchville 26 56 43 -8 13 -15 0 +0 Gray 33 74 48 -6 108 +53 13 +13 Greenville_ME 32 57 43 -10 40 -12 6 +6 Guilford 33 59 42 -10 21 -23 0 +0 Hollis 31 75 47 -7 116 +64 16 +16 Houlton 27 63 44 -8 49 +6 2 +2 Kennebunkport 33 70 49 -8 76 -30 10 +8 Livermore_Falls 30 70 44 -8 67 +23 5 +5 Moosehead 32 60 42 -7 23 +3 0 +0 New_Sharon 34 71 48 -5 85 +41 4 +4 Patten 31 60 42 -10 15 -28 0 +0 Portage 30 62 44 -8 16 -27 0 +0 Portland_ME 34 69 48 -6 92 +37 3 +3 Rangeley 30 59 40 -10 21 -2 0 +0 Sebec_Lake 33 63 45 -8 40 -12 0 +0 Vanceboro 34 63 45 -7 27 -8 0 +0 Waterville 36 66 46 -10 64 -35 1 -4 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 30 74 47 -9 143 +43 22 +14 Benton 30 66 43 -11 105 +18 27 +18 Berlin_AG 32 67 44 -10 80 +9 8 +3 Bethlehem 28 67 42 -13 84 -1 14 +5 Concord 28 79 49 -7 202 +102 60 +52 Diamond_Pond 29 55 39 -11 24 -2 0 +0 First_Conn_Lake 28 55 38 -10 22 -4 0 +0 Greenville 26 75 43 -13 152 +59 28 +20 Keene_AP 28 79 48 -11 208 +64 62 +43 Lakeport 34 72 48 -7 148 +68 27 +22 Marlow 26 75 44 -13 120 +1 26 +13 Mt_Washington 13 41 26 -10 2 +2 0 +0 North_Conway 33 69 46 -10 116 +33 21 +15 Otter_Brook_Lk 30 78 48 -10 170 +26 44 +25 Plymouth 29 70 45 -8 105 +44 19 +18 Rochester 32 77 47 -10 163 +45 32 +21 Weare 31 75 46 -11 150 +31 32 +19 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 30 75 44 -11 145 +59 33 +24 Bethel 30 75 46 -8 139 +65 34 +29 Burlington_VT 35 71 48 -9 175 +45 48 +31 East_Haven 27 63 42 -9 73 +27 14 +14 Island_Pond 29 60 42 -10 76 +27 13 +13 Montpelier 32 66 44 -11 135 +52 40 +32 Morrisville_AG 34 65 44 -10 88 +14 17 +12 Mount_Mansfield 23 48 31 -15 52 +39 9 +9 Northfield 31 70 44 -8 123 +62 28 +27 Pownal 30 73 45 -10 147 +57 42 +31 Rochester 32 69 44 -10 110 +36 26 +21 Rutland_AG 33 73 45 -13 140 -17 30 +4 Sunderland 30 73 44 -13 130 -19 32 +12 Sutton 32 65 42 -10 80 +34 18 +18 Townshend_Lake 28 78 45 -12 167 +51 42 +29 Union_Vill_Dam 29 72 45 -12 119 -3 27 +14 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 31 76 48 -7 185 +108 41 +40 Boston 40 78 54 -6 274 +112 67 +60 Greenfield 32 81 51 -8 224 +61 59 +42 New_Bedford 38 77 53 -6 253 +88 47 +39 Otis_AFB 37 70 52 -3 197 +117 23 +23 Plymouth 32 73 52 -5 207 +117 38 +38 Walpole 31 79 51 -6 246 +125 69 +62 West_Medway 31 80 51 -6 261 +140 72 +65 Westover 37 79 52 -9 291 +62 95 +64 Worcester 33 75 49 -8 211 +109 55 +50 Worthington 27 74 46 -9 163 +78 43 +37 RHODE ISLAND Providence 35 77 53 -5 273 +134 63 +58 Woonsocket 32 75 51 -6 254 +137 67 +63 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 32 77 49 -12 231 +19 70 +40 Bridgeport 38 78 54 -5 278 +104 61 +40 Hartford_AP 35 81 53 -8 325 +121 107 +78 Norfolk 32 74 48 -7 192 +111 53 +49 Norwich 34 76 53 -7 271 +93 78 +56 Thomaston_Dam 32 79 51 -6 248 +113 70 +58 Willimantic 30 77 51 -6 277 +144 83 +72 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 1.98 +1.14 4 4.09 +0.76 11 Allagash 0.75 +0.05 5 2.12 -0.59 14 Augusta_ME 2.28 +1.44 6 4.32 +0.77 12 Bangor 1.39 +0.55 4 3.18 -0.06 13 Barnard 1.44 +0.67 4 3.24 -0.03 12 Bath 2.63 +1.80 5 5.08 +1.60 13 Bethel 2.65 +1.82 5 5.08 +1.77 12 Brassua_Dam 1.53 +0.76 4 3.41 +0.35 13 Brunswick_ME 2.45 +1.62 6 4.75 +1.27 12 Caribou 1.23 +0.53 5 2.66 +0.02 14 Corinna 1.77 +1.00 5 3.79 +0.53 12 Danforth 1.49 +0.65 5 3.60 +0.28 15 Dover-Foxcroft 1.07 +0.30 4 2.12 -1.15 9 Durham 2.63 +1.83 4 5.02 +1.60 11 East_Hiram 3.07 +2.23 6 5.60 +2.07 13 Eustis 1.22 +0.46 4 3.31 +0.38 13 Frenchville 0.88 +0.18 5 2.82 +0.11 13 Gray 2.90 +2.08 5 5.01 +1.51 12 Greenville_ME 1.44 +0.67 5 2.95 -0.32 13 Guilford 1.67 +0.90 5 3.70 +0.43 14 Hollis 3.68 +2.84 6 6.54 +2.92 12 Houlton 1.36 +0.59 5 2.78 -0.09 16 Kennebunkport 3.42 +2.53 6 6.80 +3.11 12 Livermore_Falls 2.47 +1.63 5 4.83 +1.37 12 Moosehead 1.52 +0.75 5 3.00 -0.06 14 New_Sharon 2.44 +1.60 5 4.11 +0.65 11 Patten 1.66 +0.89 5 3.34 +0.47 15 Portage 0.47 -0.23 4 2.35 -0.29 14 Portland_ME 2.90 +2.08 5 5.46 +1.96 12 Rangeley 1.90 +1.18 5 3.78 +1.10 14 Sebec_Lake 1.46 +0.69 5 3.20 -0.07 13 Vanceboro 1.44 +0.60 5 3.30 -0.06 15 Waterville 2.43 +1.59 4 4.55 +1.22 11 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 3.15 +2.45 6 5.61 +2.81 13 Benton 2.44 +1.67 7 4.21 +1.30 14 Berlin_AG 2.69 +1.91 7 4.71 +1.55 14 Bethlehem 2.67 +1.93 7 4.27 +1.43 16 Concord 2.83 +2.13 6 5.18 +2.38 12 Diamond_Pond 2.00 +1.11 6 3.95 +0.66 18 First_Conn_Lake 1.93 +1.04 5 4.06 +0.77 16 Greenville 4.52 +3.68 6 7.60 +4.24 12 Keene_AP 2.35 +1.51 5 4.91 +1.64 15 Lakeport 3.22 +2.39 7 5.60 +2.43 14 Marlow 2.65 +1.72 7 5.19 +1.52 15 Mt_Washington 4.72 +3.04 7 9.73 +2.79 19 North_Conway 2.88 +1.98 7 5.38 +1.67 14 Otter_Brook_Lk 2.84 +2.00 6 5.37 +2.10 15 Plymouth 2.79 +1.88 7 4.96 +1.47 13 Rochester 3.28 +2.40 5 6.27 +2.54 11 Weare 3.16 +2.23 5 6.63 +2.96 12 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 3.83 +2.78 6 6.97 +2.83 17 Bethel 3.02 +2.04 6 5.36 +1.51 12 Burlington_VT 2.51 +1.81 5 4.22 +1.45 14 East_Haven 3.49 +2.68 7 5.02 +2.01 15 Island_Pond 2.41 +1.57 7 4.30 +1.29 16 Montpelier 2.40 +1.66 7 4.27 +1.59 16 Morrisville_AG 2.82 +2.00 6 5.07 +1.94 18 Mount_Mansfield 5.88 +4.65 6 10.01 +5.05 21 Northfield 3.33 +2.50 7 5.35 +2.28 12 Pownal 3.09 +2.04 6 5.83 +1.69 19 Rochester 3.88 +2.90 7 6.54 +2.69 13 Rutland_AG 2.85 +2.08 7 4.54 +1.61 16 Sunderland 2.86 +2.05 6 5.84 +2.80 16 Sutton 2.58 +1.77 7 4.96 +1.95 17 Townshend_Lake 3.68 +2.86 6 6.93 +3.72 16 Union_Vill_Dam 2.63 +1.80 7 4.14 +1.06 15 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 3.67 +2.90 6 6.15 +2.99 14 Boston 3.32 +2.60 5 5.52 +2.40 12 Greenfield 3.85 +2.98 6 6.62 +3.14 17 New_Bedford 3.91 +3.09 5 6.95 +3.50 15 Otis_AFB 3.00 +2.16 4 5.91 +2.42 11 Plymouth 3.95 +3.04 7 6.35 +2.57 14 Walpole 4.23 +3.46 6 6.75 +3.37 15 West_Medway 4.44 +3.67 5 7.26 +3.88 12 Westover 3.22 +2.31 6 5.64 +2.00 16 Worcester 3.42 +2.44 6 5.74 +1.90 15 Worthington 4.17 +3.12 6 6.55 +2.41 17 RHODE ISLAND Providence 3.94 +3.10 6 6.38 +2.85 16 Woonsocket 4.27 +3.36 5 7.75 +3.97 15 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 3.94 +2.96 5 7.63 +3.92 14 Bridgeport 3.68 +2.77 5 7.29 +3.65 16 Hartford_AP 3.03 +2.05 5 5.49 +1.78 15 Norfolk 3.48 +2.46 5 6.24 +2.10 15 Norwich 3.89 +2.85 5 6.58 +2.33 14 Thomaston_Dam 3.48 +2.50 6 6.15 +2.05 17 Willimantic 3.60 +2.64 6 5.74 +1.84 16 Summary based on NWS data. DFN = Departure From Normal (Using 1961-90 Normals Period). Precipitation (rain or melted snow/ice) in inches. Precipitation Days = Days with precip of 0.01 inch or more. Air Temperatures in Degrees Fahrenheit. Copyright 2002: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For detailed ag weather forecasts and data visit the AWIS home page at www.awis.com or call toll free at 1-888-798-9955. Other Agricultural Comments and News CONNECTICUT - Howard Rood (FSA), Fairfield/Litchfield: It was a rainy and very cool week. Frost late in the week may have damaged some tree crops. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Heavy rain on Monday yielded over 2.5 inches with another inch on Saturday, Planting field corn progressed, however had to look for dry soils. Frost in valleys still a threat. Some started setting broadleaf tobacco on Friday. Shade tobacco also set out. Marsha Jette (FSA), New London: Although field work has been held up with recent week of rain, producers are breathing a sigh of relief with much needed moisture. Waiting for warmer weather, some early planted sweet corn experienced frost damage. Southern part of the county expects to begin picking early strawberries within ten days. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Record cold weather for May at 32 degrees. Concern for fruit set, still dry but getting some heavy showers, planting is in full swing, hay crop is coming along unevenly, fresh asparagus being marketed along with bedding plants and hanging pots. Nancy Welsh/Karen Lockman (FSA), New Haven: Weather has been not cooperative for this time of year. Five days of rain has many farmers working on other things. We have had one night of frost. The frost earlier in the month has caused damaged on mainly peaches, pears, strawberries and apples. Vegetable producers replanted what was already in the ground. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes: Can you believe the weather this past week, seven inches of snow fell on Tuesday in Northern Aroostook County. Growers got out early in the week and this weekend to plant, otherwise the week was mostly lost due to weather. Some lime spreading but that activity was curtailed by weather. Some concern about condition of potato seed that has been in the ground for some time. Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Farmers are still attempting to work land and plant potatoes and grains. The cool wet weather has slowed this process down. Hopefully, we will receive some warmer days to help get the crops planted. Steve London (Ext), Southern Aroostook: We have had snow and rain this week and did not do much field work. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Farmers are planting. Weather is unseasonably cold. Most pastures are not quite ready for grazing. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis: Manure spreading, plowing and some planting are farm activities for the past week. Janet King (FSA), Somerset: Spring seem to be taking a long time getting here this year. Some farmers have planted some sweet and silage corn. Rain is a welcome site but we could use some warmer weather for the planting and spring crops. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Cool wet weather has slowed crop work. Heavy frost last night. Strawberries may have been damaged. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Fresh greens are in and should be ready this week. Some corn is up. A week of wet, cool weather has held up outdoor work. Bees are in the fields, waiting for the blueberry blossoms to open. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild Blueberries: Fungicides continued to be applied to protect plants from mummyberry disease. Bees being placed out in wild blueberry fields not finding any open blossoms. Cool weather continues to delay bloom. Many small spanworm seen but cool weather keeping feeding activity low. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: We need warmth! We need dry weather! We need whatever it takes to get these crops in the ground and growing. The complaints are never ending with crop growers. Mother Nature has not been very helpful. Farmers are getting manure spread and some fields are plowed or harrowed for planting. Everyone was anticipating an early season, but we just have to take what comes. The grass crop should be great, if the producer can get to it. Market gardeners have got some crops planted, plastic covers some sweet corn and seedlings are flying out the doors. Perhaps the next week will carry a heat wave our way. Parker Rand (FSA), Cumberland/York: Still spreading manure and fertilizer, plowing, and planting. Some are a little hesitant about planting due to cold wet conditions. Small garden vegetables (beet, lettuce, carrots) are doing well. Greenhouse operators say plant sales are slow because of cold weather. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Soil conditions are still very cold. If the weather breaks this week, all planting activities will be going full blast. The hay crop is primed to grow. Hopefully the apple blossoms will bring warm weather and bees. Time to clean the pool? Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: Rain, cold, windy, and not very pleasant weather seemed to be the norm over the week. Areas received up to 2 inches of snow the first part of the week and some received wet snow on Saturday. Nights have been down in the mid to upper 30's and the ground received enough rain to stop all field work for the best part of the week. Soil has been prepared and ready to go; some seeds are planted, however, Mother Nature doesn't appear to want to proceed! Most everyone is a little behind in field work due to this week's weather. A couple of warm days will push everything up and back on schedule. Amazing how our lives depend on the weather. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Wet, cold week. Some chemicals and fertilizer applied to the fields. Two to four inches of wet snow on Saturday. Up to three inches of rain during the week. Paul Russell (FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Cool wet weather has slowed all activity. Seeds are not germinating, plants aren't growing, all crops are behind schedule. Received over 4" of rain last week which puts southeastern Mass about normal for the year. Cranberry growers are still concerned about frost as they apply fertilizer and are preparing for their first fungicide spray. Vegetable growers did not get much accomplished as wet weather prevented field work, dairy farmers are preparing for the first cutting of hay which has been help by the rain. Kip Graham (FSA), Worcester: Taking advantage of the days available to get into fields. Its been too wet much of the week. Getting fields ready and planting corn has begun. Its been cold and damp slowing down bloom development on fruit and berries. Some early planting of vegetables begun. Grub control undertaken in some areas. Fruit emergence slowed down due to cold and rain. Rain preventing frost pockets. Fruit and berries are looking good up to this moment. David Rose (FSA), Bristol: Most of the week was spent planting and preparing fields. Over 2 inches of rain Saturday has slowed field work. Most fruit crops looking good. Cooler than normal temperatures have slowed growth. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: The big news this week was the snow on Saturday. This established a new record for the latest date of measurable accumulation in Franklin County. This was followed by two nights of frost. Many growers were out irrigating for frost protection. All crops have been slowed by the cool and rainy conditions over the past two weeks. One exception has been the hay crop, which is growing in leaps and bounds. Rye has also been growing very well. This has created some problems for anyone who didn't start conventional tilling early. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: It was a wet, cold week. Frost two nights, May 19th and 20th with temperatures in the mid to upper 20's. Growers were irrigating all night long. Some irrigation pumps were running 10 hours straight. Protective sprays were being applied to orchards. The potato crop is 95 percent planted. Gary Guida, Worcester: Well, another interesting and challenging spring in New England. Got 2 inches of snow Saturday and a nice hard freeze Sunday morning (being sarcastic). Peaches and apples have extensive damage. Growers who transplanted without crop protection lost all. How cold was it here? 22 degrees. Fortunately corn not up yet, and we didn't transplant crops. Wait and see for strawberries. Bedding plant sales good rebound on Sunday. Mostly perennials as consumers cautious about weather and full moon on 26th. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Heavy rains during week saturated fields and made planting nearly impossible. Little or no corn planted during week. Irrigation turned on over strawberry fields for frost protection on May 18 & 19. Corn still being covered with plastic. Unusual temperatures have caused damage to even some cold tolerant annuals. Snow throughout county on May 18 slowed garden center and farm stand business considerably. Most apple cultivars in full bloom. Bruce Clement (Ext), Cheshire: Is the drought over yet? Rain, rain, and more rain combined with cold temperatures have stalled plant germination and growth (except grasses). Most of the silage corn acreage has been planted except on upland soils, but little of it has germinated. Same story with new seedings. Early vegetables (spinach, peas, lettuce) are standing still. Some frost damage as well. Bottom line: we've got adequate moisture, now we need warm weather. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Cold wet weather through much of the week. Corn planting is delayed. Connecticut and Adroscoggin rivers running at high levels. Fields quite wet, need some dry weather to get crops in. Manure hauled, some early vegetable planting being done. Some farmers wondering whether they'll be cutting grass before field corn planting. Cold temperatures seen to be holding back growth. Still cold nights with frosts. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Cold weather continues. Forage crops growing slowly. Corn planting continues but none has emerged. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Fruits: Apples and pears are past petal fall stage in the Hollis area and are in petal fall stage in later blooming areas of the county. With all the rain during week, orchardists making sure to have protective fungicide sprays applied. Not as much damage to crop set as first thought to apple, pears and peach due to freezing temperature week of April 22. There was very minor damage to strawberries and some damage to cherry fruit set. Vegetables: Harvesting asparagus and some spinach. With the rain during week, it was very difficult to do any field work, including making successive plantings of sweet corn and trying to finish potato planting. In fields where soil dries quickly, some growers were plowing, disking fertilizing and laying down plastic mulch and drip irrigation tape. Weed spraying sweet corn fields. Field Crops: Fixing pasture fences during raining weather. Spreading manure, plowing, disking, fertilizing and planting corn on fields that are not too wet. David Seavey (Ext), Merrimack: Hayland and pasture seedings on well-drained soils. Seeding cool season vegetables. Fertilizing hayfields, tree fruits, blueberries, and field grown nursery stock. Orchards spraying for apple scab between showers. Some frost in low-lying areas reported to cause damage to strawberry blossoms and possibly apple blossoms. Good planting weather for fruit trees, high bush blueberries and ornamental nursery stock. Blueberries and apples in full bloom. Corn planting delayed due to wet soils. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Rain, snow, frost, wind and cold weather prevailed this week. Field work delayed because of the wet and cold conditions. Protective orchard sprays were difficult to be done because of rain and cold. Bee pollination was slowed due to weather. Frost has damaged some apple and peach blossoms. Planting fruit trees and small fruits. Preparing seed beds, discing and applying fertilizer and black plastic for vegetables. Plant growth was slow. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: With snow in most areas of the county on Saturday, unknown as to what affect it had on strawberry plants and early vegetables. Many silage corn fields are still being plowed, harrowed and seeded. Need a break in rain showers so producers can start chopping a good crop of alfalfa. Cooler than normal temperatures having an affect on the germination and growth of planted silage corn and early vegetables. Many days this week had strong gusty winds which has contributed to a lack of bees for pollination. Geoffery Njue (Ext), Strafford: Field work continues between rainy days. Harrowing and corn planting continued in the week. Many vegetable fields have been planted. Greenhouse tomatoes are looking good. Many farmers are hoping for warmer temperatures for quick germination. Most hay fields are looking good and close to be harvested. Fungicides applications going on for apple scab. Greenhouse operators had a good Mother's Day weekend. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: A week full of contrasts. Good rain was welcomed, but held up farmers from continueing field work. Potatoes are emerging, cole crops are doing well, planting of field and sweet corn held up this week. Roadside stands watched as customers rode by on Saturday while more than two inches of rain fell. Birds are standing around applauding the bloom of strawberries and blueberries. Marilu Soileau (FSA), All Counties: Plenty of rain this week, helped to hold off on drought warnings - still in a watch status. Light frost over the weekend. Farmers are plowing and harrowing in preparation for planting. Cool weather seems to have blooms stalled. Dogwoods and lilacs still in bloom. VERMONT - John St. One (FSA), Lamoille: If the weather improves from last week's snow/rain maybe farmers can resume normal field activities. Plenty of moisture but need some heat. Planting is a little behind schedule but hopefully can catch up with a stretch of good weather. Bill Snow (Ext), Orange: Very cold and wet weather has delayed crop planting and growth of what corn was planted early. Snow covering the ground twice during the week. Significant rainfall during the week helped surface water supplies. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: Last week was very cold and wet. The area saw snow on several days. Landowners are spreading manure and commercial fertilizer on fields. Not much cultivation occurred last week due to the wet conditions. Most farms have begun to pasture their animals. Lynette Hamilton (FSA), Windham: Snow and frosty morning this past weekend has set all the producers in a tail spin. Irrigating strawberries and blueberries to keep from freezing at blossom time is a nightmare. There will be some replanting of corn where it has emerged and has been frozen. George Cook (Ext), Lamoille: Cold, wet, rainy week with over 3 inches of rainfall. Monday - heavy rain totaling 1.35 inches. Some corn planted, none emerged, need drying, warming sunshine to prevent seed rot. Other field work mostly on hold last week. Bulk fertilizer tenders sitting idle in fields. Jeff Carter (Ext), Addison: Continue to plant alfalfa and grass hay fields, planting corn between rains. Some manure spreading. Some fertilizing hay fields. Grass and alfalfa hay crop looks good. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: 2.5 inches of rain very welcome this week. Most of the manure spread and grass seedings in. Have not heard of any corn in the ground yet, but it is getting to be time. Some dairy cows out onto pasture. Still in the 30's many nights. Sherwin Williams, Rutland: First cutting of asp, slow, need sun and warmth. Still plowing under big crop of winter rye. Two inches of rain last week. Fertilizer applied before planting. Strawberries in blossom. Have used sprinklers to keep off frost. First planting of sweet corn just pricking the ground. Too cold. Early planting of peas up enough to follow rows. Radishes, spinach and lettuce beginning to show. A rainy week. "Think Sun" and hope for warm days. Maria Garcia (Ext), Chittenden: At this stage, it is difficult to determine fruit set. Temperatures have been unusually cold and pollination conditions poor. Reporters are from: Extension Service (Ext), Farm Service Agency(FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), or other knowledgeable individuals. Contact Information To receive this report every Monday evening, send an e-mail message to listserv@newsbox.usda.gov and in the body, type subscribe usda-new-eng-crop-weather Statisticians: Dave Mikelson, Robin Helrich Stat Assistant: Wayne Colpitt Deputy: David Luckenbach New England Agricultural Statistics Service National Agricultural Statistics Service United States Department of Agriculture Aubrey R. Davis, Director 22 Bridge St, 3rd Floor PO Box 1444 Concord, NH 03302-1444 Phone: (603) 224-9639 Fax: (603) 225-1434 Internet: http://www.usda.gov/nass/ E-Mail: nass.nh@nass.usda.gov ****************** end of report ***********************