By JEFF BURBRINK
Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Elkhart County

GOSHEN — I heard someone compare our recent warm temperatures to a hook with a worm on it. It is very tempting, and if you do bite, you might get caught.

The temptation he was referring to was planting a crop too early. Whether it is a field crops like dent corn and soybeans, or vegetables in your backyard, there are risks to planting some crops too early.

Take alfalfa for instance. An early to mid-March planting will result in a stand of alfalfa, but the real risk is a return to more normal temperatures. This often results in slow or uneven germination, and might allow for more weeds to creep in the mix.

What about freezing? Newly germinated alfalfa can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees, so freezing is not a worry early on. However, the risk of freezing is higher in late April or early May, when the alfalfa reaches the third or fourth trifoliate leaf stage. At that point, alfalfa loses its cold tolerance, and can be damaged severely. Generally, alfalfa in our region is best sowed in late March, up to about April 15.

Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale make up a group of cool season vegetables known as cole crops. The word “cole” means stem and has nothing to do with these vegetables being tolerant to “cold.” Even with the added cold tolerance, growers of cole crops must take care to avoid extended periods of low temperature before or after transplanting.

Cauliflower is the most tolerant of the cole crops and can be planted around March 15. After April 1, it is generally safe to plant cabbage, peas, garlic, potatoes, radishes, turnips and onion seeds outdoors. April 15, is considered a safe date for beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, onion sets and kale.

As for the early planting of field crops, the conventional wisdom is that planting early leads to maximized yields. There are, however, many factors that affect yield, planting date being just one. Soil conditions, including too much or too little water, and soil temperature have much influence also. Even as the new hybrids have been designed for better cold and moisture tolerance, it is still best to wait for better soil conditions than to plant by the calendar when your livelihood is on the line.