Corn in the backyard 2011, week 4

June 12

Height = 28 inches
Last week's growing degree days = 180
Historical average growing degree days = 136

Growing degree days since planting = 617
Historical average since planting = 504

Another warmer than average week resulted in greater than average growth. The plant height is 11 inches ahead of where it was at this time in 2009, but the 2011 corn has had 143 extra growing degree days this time around. The 2010 corn had been planted three weeks earlier, and had only managed 9.5 inches of growth by the fourth week of measurements. As this next week is forecast to be cooler than average most of the week, it will be exciting to see what effect that has on plant growth.

Thanks for visiting!

Let the discounts begin!

I didn't notice all the items on my receipt at Long John Silver's this evening. Evidently I'm officially part of the senior crowd now. I've underlined the line that says, "SEN04 10% snr" and then shows 10% of my total subtracted from my bill. I didn't ask for it. I don't think I was even dressed very seniorish. But the cashier gave me 10%, which I'm happy to accept.

It's one of those things that you expect to experience eventually, and since AARP considers me a senior now, I almost feel entitled!

I think my daughters are mortified.

Corn in the backyard 2011, week 3

June 5

Height = 16 inches

Last week's growing degree days = 170

Historical average growing degree days = 121

Growing degree days since planting = 437

Historical average since planting = 368

The corn had a pretty good growth spurt this past week, probably due to the warm temperatures. By contrast, the 2009 crop was planted about the same time, and only managed 5 inches of growth in the same week, but only had 109 growing degree days to help it along. It will be exciting to see how this year's crop progresses in the weeks ahead! Stay tuned!

Hottest day of the year?

By our unofficial monitoring of the thermometer in our backyard, today was that hottest day of 2011 so far.

As far as I'm concerned, we don't need any days hotter than this.

Corn in the backyard 2011, week 2

May 29

Height = 6.5 inches. Growing degree days for the week = 99; historical average = 105 growing degree days.

Growing degree days since planting = 267; historical average = 247 growing degree days.