R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Fields at a local farm are ready for crop production.

ESCANABA — Though planting of many crops often begins after Memorial Day in the Upper Peninsula, some farmers and home growers have been preparing fields and gardens, and in some cases seeing growth already. This spring has been a bit of an anomaly in that, following a mild winter, the U.P. did not experience melt as in normal years and soil was drier early on, but recent storms have been providing moisture. At this point in time, the National Weather Service shows that the region has “equal chances” of being above or below the normal range for both temperature and precipitation during the next month.

“First, we thought we were going to be extremely dry and it wasn’t going to turn out. Now, it seems like we’re going the other way. Having a hard time getting things in. So it’s really sketchy on how this year is going to turn out,” said Kevin Klink, a farmer in Garden.

As of Monday, Klink Farms had planted oats and was beginning to start on barley. Corn, beans and pumpkins are also to be going in the ground, but the timing hasn’t been right. It’s early yet for pumpkins, and for the corn and grain, “we’re kind of behind because of it being wet,” Klink said.

Delaying planting due to overly wet conditions is wise — some might say essential. Soil in such a state is compacted, which limits root growth and ultimately plant yield.

While the fate of most things is still uncertain in regards to crop production, some are already set to be harvested.

“Temperatures in late winter warmed well above normal, which has had a significant impact on overwintering crops such as winter wheat and forages (grass and alfalfa),” said Eric Anderson, an educator with Michigan State University Extension.

“The little bit of heat we’ve been getting — it’s really making the grass grow, at least down here in Garden,” said Klink. “We’ll probably have to start cutting hay in the next two weeks. So that’s gonna be a little early for us.”

Home gardeners are on a slightly different timeline, as plots on a smaller scale are more controllable. Some started by planting indoors or buying seedlings from greenhouses, and then relocating them to outdoor garden beds. Therefore, those growers may enjoy the same types of beans, potatoes, and other produce in smaller quantities a few weeks before larger operations harvest — at least locally — and bring their goods to market.

Anderson said that across the state as a whole, corn and soybeans are mostly on schedule. The USDA reported that 50% of corn is planted, compared to a usual 52% by this date; and 42% of soybeans are in the ground as opposed to the 46% average from past years.

Those still waiting to plant may consider consulting the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. A map issued on May 20 showed that precipitation across the whole U.P. is expected to lean just slightly above normal through the end of the month of May. What the rest of the growing season holds, and what effect it will have on future harvests, is yet to be seen.