Monday, May 4, 2026

Will the Corn Survive?

  Back on 04/13 the fields around us were planted with corn. That's very early and I worried if it wouldn't be killed by either a frost or a freeze. We've had both since then.

 The morning of 05/01 it dipped to 38° here and I noted some patchy frost. The next morning bottomed out at 34° and I observed heavier frost. And then on 05/02, we dipped below freezing (30°) and there was again a general frost.

 I'd think that would be a lot for seedling corn to take. But Google says: "Seedling corn can survive a light frost because its growing point remains below the soil surface until about the V5-V6 stage (5-6 leaves), protecting it from above-ground tissue damage. While leaves may turn black or yellow, the plant can recover if the underground, creamy-white growing point remains healthy."

 And that's exactly what I am seeing this morning:



 The damage looks pretty severe to me. And the ground is fairly dry so that can't be helping.


 Here's a wider view of the field behind our house. It looks normal from a distance.

 I'll continue to watch what develops. Or doesn't.