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< / head >
< body >
< header >
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< h1 > ZONE 5B FIELD GUIDE< / h1 >
< div class = "subtitle" > STORM LAKE, IOWA — PLANTING WINDOWS, HARDINESS LIMITS, AND SURVIVAL PROTOCOLS< / div >
< a href = "/" > ← RETURN TO HUB< / a >
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< / header >
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< main >
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< div class = "section-header" >
< h2 > PREFACE< / h2 >
< p > This is not a suggestion. These are the numbers that separate what dies from what thrives when the mercury drops to − < / p >
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< / div >
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< div class = "image-panel" >
< img src = "https://images.pexels.com/photos/35650202/pexels-photo-35650202.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940" alt = "Snow-covered pergola in a winter garden, wooden structure standing against stark white landscape" / >
< div class = "image-caption" > The pergola stands through January. Its timber was seasoned for this.< / div >
< / div >
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< div class = "section-header" >
< h2 > CROP 01: TURNIP (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)< / h2 >
< p class = "source-note" > Species authority: Wikidata Q3916957 | Natural product of Brassica rapa subsp. rapa< / p >
< / div >
< div class = "crop-card" >
< div class = "crop-header" >
< span class = "crop-name" > TURNIP (WINTER STORAGE)< / span >
< span class = "crop-type" > ROOT VEGETABLE · BRASSICA< / span >
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< / div >
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< div class = "crop-body" >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > PLANTING WINDOW< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > AUG 15 – < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > DAYS TO MATURITY< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 56– < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > HARVEST BEFORE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > OCT 15< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SOIL TEMP MINIMUM< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 35°F< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > OVERWINTER DEPTH< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 18"< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SUCROSE ACCUMULATION< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 18– < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > FROST TOLERANCE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > − < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SNOW COVER REQ< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > ≥6"< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SPRING RECOVERY< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 21 days< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
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< / div >
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< / div >
< div class = "critical-warning" >
< strong > CRITICAL FAILURE MODE:< / strong > Planting after September 10 yields insufficient sucrose accumulation. Root dies at −
< / div >
< div class = "safe-zone" >
< strong > SURVIVABLE CONDITION:< / strong > 18" soil burial + ≥6" snow cover maintains root viability at −
< / div >
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< div class = "section-header" >
< h2 > CROP 02: CARROT (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)< / h2 >
< / div >
< div class = "crop-card" >
< div class = "crop-header" >
< span class = "crop-name" > CARROT (LONG-KEEP)< / span >
< span class = "crop-type" > ROOT VEGETABLE · APIACEAE< / span >
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< / div >
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< div class = "crop-body" >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > PLANTING WINDOW< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > JUL 20 – < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > DAYS TO MATURITY< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 70– < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > HARVEST BEFORE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > NOV 1< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SOIL TEXTURE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > LOAM/SILT< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > ROW SPACING< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 12"< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > CAROTENE PEAK< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > SEP 25 ± 3d< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > FROST TOLERANCE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > − < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > OVERWINTER MULCH< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 8– < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SPRING HARVEST< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > APR 15+< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
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< / div >
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< / div >
< div class = "critical-warning" >
< strong > CRITICAL FAILURE MODE:< / strong > Clay soil causes forked roots. Frost before September 20 destroys beta-carotene synthesis. Loss rate: 94%.
< / div >
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< div class = "section-header" >
< h2 > CROP 03: KALE (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)< / h2 >
< / div >
< div class = "crop-card" >
< div class = "crop-header" >
< span class = "crop-name" > SCOTT'S GREEN KALE< / span >
< span class = "crop-type" > LEAFY GREEN · BRASSICA< / span >
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< / div >
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< div class = "crop-body" >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > PLANTING WINDOW< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > JUN 15 – < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > FIRST HARVEST< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > SEP 10< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > PEAK FLAVOR< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > DEC 21< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > CROWN HEIGHT< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 4" above soil< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > WIND EXPOSURE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > ≤15 mph sustained< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > GLUCOSINOLATES< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > ↑ 300% post-frost< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > FROST TOLERANCE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > − < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > HARVEST METHOD< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > LOWER leaves only< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > CONTINUOUS YIELD< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > NOV– < / span >
< / div >
< / div >
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< / div >
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< / div >
< div class = "safe-zone" >
< strong > SURVIVABLE CONDITION:< / strong > October 15 hardening required. Plants exposed to gradual cooling accumulate antifreeze proteins. Sudden freeze below −
< / div >
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< div class = "section-header" >
< h2 > CROP 04: PARSLEY (Petroselinum crispum)< / h2 >
< / div >
< div class = "crop-card" >
< div class = "crop-header" >
< span class = "crop-name" > FLAT-LEAF PARSLEY< / span >
< span class = "crop-type" > HERB · APIACEAE< / span >
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< / div >
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< div class = "crop-body" >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > PLANTING WINDOW< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > APR 15 – < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > ESTABLISHMENT< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 60 days< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > WINTER PROTECTION< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > Cold frame mandatory< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > MIN SOIL TEMP< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 28°F< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > HARVEST CYCLE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > Outer stems weekly< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > APIOLE CONTENT< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > ↑ 2.1x post-frost< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > FROST TOLERANCE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > − < / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > COLD FRAME HEIGHT< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 18"< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > LIFESPAN< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > Biennial (yr 2 = flower)< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
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< / div >
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< / div >
< div class = "critical-warning" >
< strong > CRITICAL FAILURE MODE:< / strong > Unprotected parsley dies at 20°F. Cold frame venting required when ambient exceeds 45°F to prevent bolting.
< / div >
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< div class = "image-panel" >
< img src = "https://pixabay.com/get/gb946accc6b0e821e1df1611f40f4e820fc358b3a98fefdf08efd14fd20824dc64b98808994f5cf40aafd43699aea4e86121474fcc18909a7d574aa67dc09b613_1280.jpg" alt = "Blue jay feeding on corn kernels in winter, Keokuk County, Iowa" / >
< div class = "image-caption" > Keokuh County, January. The blue jay knows the grain cache. So do we.< / div >
< / div >
< div class = "section-header" >
< h2 > PROTOCOL: SNOW PACK MANAGEMENT< / h2 >
< / div >
< div class = "crop-card" >
< div class = "crop-header" >
< span class = "crop-name" > INSULATION CALCULATOR< / span >
< span class = "crop-type" > THERMAL PHYSICS< / span >
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< / div >
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< div class = "crop-body" >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SNOW DENSITY (typical)< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 0.1 g/cm³< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 0.0001 cal/cm·s·°C< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > REQUIRED DEPTH FOR − < / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 6"< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > REQUIRED DEPTH FOR − < / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 12"< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-group" >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SOIL HEAT CAPACITY< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 0.2 cal/g·°C< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > FREEZE FRONT RATE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > 0.8"/day< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > SAFE ROOT ZONE< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > Below 12"< / span >
< / div >
< div class = "spec-row" >
< span class = "spec-label" > MONITORING INTERVAL< / span >
< span class = "spec-value" > Daily at 0600< / span >
< / div >
< / div >
< / div >
< / div >
< div class = "safe-zone" >
< strong > FIELD ACTION:< / strong > When forecast predicts −
< / div >
< div class = "data-twin" >
< strong > AGENT-LEGIBLE DATA TWIN< / strong > < br >
Complete planting calendar, thermal constants, and crop metadata:< br >
< a href = "/field-guide.json" > field-guide.json< / a >
< / div >
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< a href = "/" class = "back-link" > RETURN TO HUB< / a >
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