By Ken Legé, Texas A&M AgriLife Cotton Extension Specialist for the Lubbock Center
Planting began a week ago today for most across West Texas and quite a bit of progress was made. This certainly was the case for our RACE trials: nine trials in six days! This week will be no different and conditions are generally favorable for planting in terms of temperature — and perhaps some moisture later in the week.
The southern high plains area will experience a somewhat cool overnight low tonight, then resume a warming trend. Soil moisture is generally better north of Lubbock and less so south of Lubbock. Soil temperatures at 8” are very warm: upper 60s to 70s. So even if the overnight low dips down in the upper 40s, the seed will not be experiencing damaging low temperatures for very long. That warm soil below will quickly help the soil temperatures in the seed zone recover quickly.
The panhandle area will experience perhaps two nights with lows in the upper 40s. The 8” soil temperatures are solidly in the 60s, with few exceptions. Monitor your soil temperatures closely to help guide your planting decisions. Soil moisture is generally favorable. Since your final planting date is approaching (May 31), I suspect most will continue planting Monday and Tuesday. The warming trend on Wednesday will make the planting decision much easier.
Be aware of windy days in the forecast, as surface soil moisture can disappear quickly. I hope the forecast is correct regarding the chances of rain later this week.
Be safe while moving equipment.
To download the PDF version of this chart, click the image above.
To download the PDF version of this chart, click the image above.