The rain seems to keep falling, barely providing time for things to dry out and start planting!  The last few weeks has experienced up to 2” above normal precipitation – particularly for west-central and southern Indiana, which is near the 125th-125th percentile. Warm days seem to be relatively few and far between, causing a slow start to growing degree-day (GDD) accumulations. While it is still early in the season, Indiana has only accumulated about 30-60 GDD units, with the few amounts to the north. Hard freezes (<= 28°F are still in recent memory, with the most recent hard freeze occurring just last week (April 1-3).  For April 8-16, precipitation forecasts are predicting 1.5”-2.5” of rain, with the higher amounts expected in the southern half of the state. There is still a 25-50% chance of a 32°F freeze occurring in southern counties and over a 90% chance of a freeze occurring[Read More…]

The freeze/frost probability maps developed by Indiana State Climate Office are a great source for deciding field planting date. Figure 1 shows the average last day of 36°F or lower in Indiana; Figure 2 shows the dates, after which the last 36°F occurred in 1 in 10 years (10% chance).  

Soil temperatures are critical for seed germination and are closely related to occurrences of some early season soilborne disease and pest problems on vegetable crops. Plant vegetable crops after the soil is warm enough ensure good seed germination and fast crop establishment. The figures below show daily average soil and air temperatures at  recorded at six locations (Figure 1) in Indiana from April 25 to May 8 that maybe helpful in assessing soil conditions for planting across the state. More information regarding recommended soil temperatures for vegetable planting can be found in the articles https://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho-186.pdf  and https://vegcropshotline.org/article/seedcorn-maggots-and-wireworms/      

Winter is coming to a close in about a month, and the coldest of the days should be behind us at this point. Here in Indiana, El Nino usually points to a warmer, drier kind of winter.  With the past El Nino being considered one of the strongest on record, how much did the warm Pacific Ocean affect Indiana? The temperature and precipitation graphs around the state look somewhat similar to Figures 1 (Columbus) and Figure 2 (Lowell). High temperatures generally trended unseasonably warm right around the winter holiday, December 23 or 27, and around February 2. During both periods, record warm temperatures were set depending on location within the state.  The southwestern portion of the state had a four day record shattering streak of warm temperatures, while the more impressive warmth was experienced in February at some more northern locations (Figure 2). Going around the state, high temperatures this[Read More…]