We have had an excellent start to the planting season in Southern Alberta. With a good portion of spring crops emerging at this time of year we need to consider the conditions that they are growing in. Cool wet weather like we have been experiencing will cause high levels of stress on the seedling as the soil is too cold to readily release nutrients. The leaves are small at this time restricting the energy that they can draw from the sun to help the plant develop. These conditions strongly support a foliar nutrient program which will accelerate the root development and provide the energy to develop the secondary root system that is paramount in the future development of the plant. We want our plants to come out of the three leaf stage strong and healthy as the next three leaves of growth are where the development of the head takes place.

From Doug McRae.