Cotton planting time is approaching, and even though growers are looking for some kind of normalcy and the forecast over the next seven days calls for warm temperatures, a number of factors may keep planters in the barn for a little bit longer. Soil temperatures in the Lubbock area are optimal for planting, but areas north of Lubbock likely are still a bit cool. At press time, the West Texas Mesonet station in Stratford was showing a soil temperature of 55 degrees at the 8-inch depth. Dimmitt was at 60, and Lubbock at 67. Those interested in viewing soil temperatures can ...