Jarrod O. Miller, Extension Agronomist, jarrod@udel.edu
Since the first weekend of corn planting, Delaware has accumulated between 10-20 inches of rainfall. The region around Newark has fared the best with only 10 inches of accumulation, and longer periods without rain. Variable storms cells around the state seem to prefer to pass over Seaford to Georgetown on their way to the beach, creating difficulties in planting as well as sidedressing and other applications. This is a good year to talk to your neighbor to find out their field conditions and figure out if anything they did works.
Growing degree days have continued to accumulate, besides an inflection of cooler weather around June 2. Corn planted on April 22nd is should be getting close to V12 (870 GDD), while anything planted the week of May 20th could be close to V6. Be sure to scout your fields, count leaves, and determine which stage you may be in.
Table 1: Growing degree days accumulated through June 12th from the beginning of each week.
| Sussex | Kent | New Castle | |
| 22-Apr | 841 | 824 | 764 |
| 29-Apr | 789 | 777 | 730 |
| 6-May | 681 | 667 | 632 |
| 13-May | 577 | 561 | 535 |
| 20-May | 465 | 455 | 441 |
| 27-May | 307 | 296 | 293 |
