Corn Plant Populations

The optimum plant population for corn production has been increasing in recent years. Much of the gains in corn productivity have been attributed to higher populations and corn hybrids that are adapted to these higher populations. Also, in drought prone areas, high populations are needed to reach maximum yield.

Based on data from research conducted at NDSU and by other regional entities, plant population in drought prone areas with an expected yield of less than 100 bushels per acre, should be in the range of 15,000-19,000 per acre. For expected yields in the range of 100-130 bushels, the plant population should be 21,000-25,000.

On the other side of the pendulum, plant populations for expected irrigated yields greater than 190 bushels per acre, the recommended plant population is in the range of 32,000-36,000 per acre.

Find Planting Dates

For full crop insurance coverage, the USDA Risk Management Agency has established dates by which specific crops must be planted. These dates vary by state and often by county within the state. The dates by crop for Williams County are as follows: May 20 – canola, chickpeas, May 25 – corn for grain, lentils, peas, canola; and June 5 – hard spring wheat, durum, barley and oats. To see the dates for other crops go to: http://www.rma.usda.gov/fields/mt_rso/2013/final.

When to Prune Trees and Shrubs

Pruning trees and shrubs is done for several reasons. Like me, many people do not get into the mood of pruning until it is too late. Much of the pruning of home landscape plants should be done in late winter or early spring while the trees are still dormant. In North Dakota, March is generally the best time to undertake this work to minimize sap flow. Exceptions to this would be trees noted for having heavy sap flow such as maple and birches. The best time to prune these is after they have fully leafed out.

Some shrubs bloom only on the previous season’s growth. An example of these is Forsythia, Syringea (lilac), Viberum and Spirea. If you want them to rebloom the following season, you should complete the pruning immediately after the blooming period is over. Pruning these shrubs while still dormant in the early spring removes potential flowering branches for that growing season.

Evergreens generally have a longer pruning season than deciduous plants. In addition to early spring and midsummer, pruning after new growth has hardened is acceptable for pines and spruce trees. Junipers and arborvitaes can be pruned up to mid-August.