Mannino said other tips include buying healthy plants and spacing them properly. That will help keep some of your diseases down, and that will help with your insect populations. Mannino said to prepare for freezes by keeping the plants well-irrigated. He said newly- planted vegetables that have not yet rooted in the soil can be dug up, and floating row cover can be used to protect established plants during a freeze. District Extension director Dr. Bob Robinson of Amarillo said temperatures were slightly above normal in the Panhandle last week.
Wet conditions continue to delay land preparations for spring planting.
Robinson said wheat is making limited growth with warmer temperatures and excellent moisture conditions. No insect problems have been reported. Robinson said cattle are under some stress because of muddy conditions, and supplemental feeding continues at a heavy rate. District Extension director Galen Chandler of Vernon said more rain was reported across the Rolling Plains. He said wheat has made excellent progress in the past two weeks.