From Cornell’s Dr. Frank Rossi’s ShortCUTT blog, celebrating its 20th year, on how soil temps are the “gate valve” for early season activity:
The growing season is off to a rather normal start weather-wise, following a rather normal, if not slightly warmer than normal, mostly snow-less winter across the Northeast US. Root growth has been active in plugs taken from fields and putting surfaces from Central NY to Long Island. As of this writing, soils are firmly in the upper 40’s low 50’s at the 2” depth as far south as Philadelphia, PA. This is expected to increase this week, as historical soil temperature data indicate that soils will reach 55F by mid-week on Long Island. The expected warm temps and the warm rains associated with showery period this week could lead to quick increases. Keep this in mind as you begin to consider soil-targeted applications that must penetrate into rootzone. Read the rest here