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May 25, 2012 Scouting Report
High
Temps Hit 90s Early: Lack of Rain = Dry, Hand-water Management Starts,
Peter thinks Root Research, and Tim says "Fairy Ring Research Begins"
Chicago/Northern Illinois Update: Derek Settle
Memorial
Day Weekend Arrives and yet it doesn't seem quite right. So far this
season has advanced early, but the poor old calendar just progresses
according to numbers. To me and to others, Memorial Day came and went a
month ago - this calendar is of growing things. To the uninitiated all
seems well, but folks that maintain the landscape are tired - they had
to start "doing" a month earlier than usual. What continues to concern
us, just a little bit, is exactly just how this growing season will play
out since such a spring has never been recorded. March amazed us with
80s for highs - nine consecutive days. Later, April calmed us with more
normal temperatures, but a lack of rain meant we were very dry. May saw
the usual zig zag of spring as Mother Nature's final cold frosty breaths
were exhaled. May's final full week has arrived and already Chicago is
counting her first few days above 90 degrees - usually this begins in
June.
But May is not over when one more piece of awe inspiring meteorological information (AIMI) hits the news, a 100 degree day
forecast for Sunday, May 27th. Currently, it isn't even summer and
eyebrows (mine especially) begin to look like twin mountain peaks.
During summer in Chicago we know the century mark is unusual to cross at
any point. For example, we saw 100+ last July, but the last time that
had happened was 2005. The earliest 100+ degree day in Chicago (Midway
Airport) hails back to May 31, 1934 - dust bowl years. Hang on, summer
just arrived.
Click here to view the May 25, 2012 Scouting Report.
Enjoy your holiday weekend and... summer early!
Derek Settle, PhD
Director of Turfgrass Program |
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