Corn in the backyard, 2015 -- weeks 4 & 5

 May 31

The plants almost doubled in size the week before the 31st, reaching 15 inches with the help of extra growing degree days. We historically experience 110 growing degree days for that week, but received 160 this year. Rainfall has been adequate as well, leaving the soil in great shape as we headed into June.

 June 7

Although the week before June 7 was slightly cooler than the historical average (116 actual growing degree days vs. 126 average), the plants still added 11 inches to their height, ending the week at 26 inches tall.

The wide angle image above was taken a few minutes earlier than normal because a storm was approaching from the northwest (right in the image). That was one of several storms to roll through our neighborhood on June 7 depositing about 3 inches of rain in the process.

As I look at these photos, it occurs to me that our Sunday mornings have been more cloudy than not over the last five weeks: four cloudy days to one sunny one to be exact. I'd have to check the archives to be sure, but I doubt that we've ever had more cloudy Sundays than sunny ones in the summer.