When is it time to start planting corn?

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Happy Spring, I think? This was a long winter with lots of bad weather, snow and aggravation for a lot of people. I was starting to really enjoy it, but everyone else was saying enough already! Now comes the question, when should I plant corn? There was still frost in the ground in most parts of Illinois this past week, and many farmers are uncertain as to when they should start planting. Too early — and seedlings may be injured or killed; too late — and corn may be pollinating in late-July or August when it is often very dry and hot, which could result in yield reductions. University of Illinois Extension specialists agree that anytime after April 20 is fine, but before then, weather outlooks should be taken into consideration. Based on university research from throughout the Midwest, planting corn early offers the following significant advantages:

• The corn plant develops better and has a higher yield potential when the vegetative period of its development occurs in the cooler, moister weather of May and June.

• Earlier planting tends to place the tasseling and silking period ahead of mid-July weather where there is greatest risk of moisture and drought stress.

• Early planted fields have a deeper root system by late June or early July which enables the plants to have subsoil water available when summer drought arrives.

• The earlier the corn pollinates, the greater the solar energy available during kernel development.

• Early planted corn is usually shorter, has lower ear height, and less lodging.

• Early planting of properly chosen hybrids leads to earlier maturity which results in less damage from early frost, less lodging, and more efficient harvesting.

• Early maturity means less drying cost.

A serious disadvantage to early planting is the risk of excessive soil compaction on soil that is still too wet. Substantial yield reduction due to compaction can be expected; compaction reduces drainage; causes denitrification; and limits the availability of oxygen to the roots. According to Bob Frazee, the most obvious preventative measure is to avoid, if at all possible, both heavy wheel traffic and tillage of soils that are too wet. In many years, the greatest amount of soil compaction is caused by the very first trip across the field in the spring, whether this may be applying pre-plant anhydrous ammonia or starting spring tillage. Although the soil surface is dry, and you may even see wind erosion occurring, usually only the top 1 inch or so of the soil profile is dry. The rest of the soil profile is usually still saturated with water and is very susceptible to compaction. Allowing the soil to dry for just one or two more days can significantly minimize compaction problems for the rest of the season. And also, a long-term no-till farming system can avoid a lot of compaction associated with traditional farming.

Bob Frazee, University of Illinois Natural Resources educator, just released his spring report and noted that now is the ideal time for homeowners with private wells to be testing their drinking water to ensure it is still safe to drink. The rainfall and flooding we’ve been experiencing over the past three weeks may result in a greater potential for pollutants to contaminate your drinking water due to leaching of harmful materials into the soil, a deteriorating well casing, and surface water flow into a dug well system.

Frazee states that if you have a private water supply, you are responsible for the quality of water that your family drinks. That’s why it is important to test your private water supply at least once a year, and more often if problems arise. If you get water from a public or municipal supply, you have more protection because these supplies are tested on a regular basis. Still, Frazee cautions, you may need to test your water because it is possible that corrosive water — water that erodes metal fixtures — can cause pipes in your home to leach contaminants and metals into your water supply.

In recent years, pollutants have contaminated a number of private water systems in both urban and rural areas. Some of these pollutants include nitrate from septic systems, fertilizer, livestock wastes, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and gasoline from underground storage tanks. Many people no longer take their drinking water for granted. Instead of assuming tap water is safe, many homeowners are now regularly testing their drinking water.

Contaminated water does not always look, taste or smell differently than safe drinking water. Frazee offers the following guidelines to describe conditions in which water testing may be advisable:

From a private or public supply if:

• You have recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness that cannot be explained.

• Water has an objectionable taste or smell.

• Household plumbing contains lead pipes, brass fittings or lead-solder joints.

• You are considering installing water treatment equipment.

• You want to check the efficiency and performance of home water-treatment equipment.

• Water leaves scaly residues and soap scum or decreases the cleaning action of soaps.

• Pipes or plumbing show signs of corrosion.

From a private supply only if:

• You are buying a home or wish to evaluate the safety and quality of the water supply.

• Water stains plumbing fixtures and laundry.

• Water appears cloudy, frothy or colored.

• Pumps, chlorinators and other water-supply equipment wear rapidly.

• Someone in the household is pregnant or anticipating a pregnancy.

• The household includes infants less than 6 months old.

• You have a new well and want to evaluate it.

If you are sending a water sample to a private lab, you may need to collect the sample yourself. The exact procedure can vary, cautions Frazee, depending on the contaminant being tested or the lab being used, so be sure to follow the lab’s directions. The labs should tell you what kind of container to use in collecting a sample and most will provide you with an appropriate container. Your local health department can often provide water testing bottles and do simple baseline testing for bacteria or nitrate. For more extensive testing and results, especially for pesticides and other inorganic substances, consult the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The laboratory will complete the water testing and send a written report usually within two weeks. According to Frazee, the written report will provide the concentration of different chemicals and recommendations to follow if water contamination problems are identified.

I would like to congratulate Francis Morse on his completion of the Master Gardener training through the University of Illinois Extension. He will complete the class portion next week and become an intern for the Bureau County Master Gardeners. We are excited to begin this gardening season and would like to welcome Francis! For more information about the Master Gardener program, call our office at (815) 875-2878.

This is a reminder to all 4-H members and leaders, project enrollments are due April 1. The Extension office is already gearing up for the 2008 4-H Fair, and we are looking forward to the many excellent projects that the Bureau County 4-Hers enter, display and show every year.

Sherry Hockings is the agricultural program coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension — Bureau County.