Recent nighttime lows dipping below the freezing mark do not make Charlestonian Perry Herron anxious for his early-emerging crop of corn.
On Tuesday, Herron brought by The Sun-Sentinel a photo of his 7-year-old grandson, Mike Webster, son of Patrice and Mike Webster of Charleston, who was pictured pointing to some corn seedlings in Herron's garden spot in the city.
Herron said he planted the G90 sweet corn that he had purchased at Mullen Farm Supply during the third week of February and it emerged from the ground during the first week of March — about the earliest he has ever seen corn sprout.
After daytime highs in the low 50s Monday and Tuesday, the temp dropped below freezing both nights, causing the National Weather Service to issue a Freeze Warning for the area. However, Herron said that while the corn may suffer some above-ground damage, it should survive and thrive.
Time will tell, and another tough test looms.
Father Time's official first day of spring is Monday, March 20, but Mother Nature still has another arctic blast or two up her frosty sleeve.
The NWS forecast as of late Thursday showed a strong cold-weather system moving into the Mid-South after some rain tonight and Friday, resulting in four consecutive days of nighttime lows predicted to be near, at or below the freezing mark here in Tallahatchie County.
After an early-morning high of 51 Friday, the mercury is expected to dip to a local low of 34 degrees Friday night. It is forecast to bottom out at 28 Saturday night, 26 Sunday night and 32 Monday night.
To be on the safe side, Mississippi State University Extension notes that warm-season vegetables like corn should not be planted until March 27-31 in state planting zone 4, which includes the hill country of Tallahatchie County. The Delta region of the county falls within planting zone 3 (March 22-26).
An Extension map shows the planting zones, while a chart breaks down recomended planting dates for both cool-season and warm-season vegetables.
