As we approach April, temperatures look to remain very comfortable across Mid-Missouri.
As we go about preparing our yards for spring, many residents are looking to plant their gardens. If you are new to the area, there are a few produce plants that tend to survive a Missouri season rotation a bit better than others.
According to the Jefferson Institute, a branch of Purdue University, asparagus, mushrooms, cantaloupe, peppers, squash, sweet corn and tomatoes all consistently survive in Central Missouri. Obviously, if there is a particularly dry spring and summer season, drought conditions can largely impact the growth rate and related harvest of the produce.
For those looking for more commercialized planting, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, cucumber, eggplants, kale, onions, parsley, potatoes, pumpkins, rhubarb, snap beans, spinach and watermelon have all proven themselves hardy enough for Missouri springs and summers.
Planting times for the above mentioned produce can vary depending on each plant type, but most produce should be planted in April for optimal results. Some plants do need to be planted earlier, and some can be planted throughout the summer. If you do not know when to plant, the University of Missouri's Extension Office provides an extensive list on its website and can serve as a starting point.
Climatically, rainfall amounts vary throughout the spring and summer in Missouri, so you will need an alternative water supply in case we experience drought conditions. Dr. Pat Guinan, the Missouri state climatologist of the Missouri Climate Center, said the main form of precipitation for the spring and summer months comes as thunderstorms, which can be sporadic. Oftentimes, heavy rains will fall on an area during a thunderstorm then will clear out. This can lead to minor flooding, and water- sensitive plants will need to be monitored in these situations.
In addition to precipitation and air temperatures, soil temperatures can greatly impact plant growth. Each plant will have an optimal soil temperature for growth, and it will be greatly beneficial for you to know what temperatures your plants need. For guidance, current soil temperatures can be found through the University of Missouri Extension website, and as of earlier this week, 2-inch soil temperatures were largely in the 50-degree range.
There are some weather events that may ruin a garden, so paying attention to local forecasts will be imperative. Hail storms can kill plants, and late frosts will have the same impact. Luckily, covering plants can usually protect them from hail and frost events.
Growing a garden can be incredibly rewarding and tasty. Plus, for weather aficionados, growing a garden gives us an excuse to pay more attention to the weather!
Maddie Est has worked as a broadcast meteorologist and marine meteorologist since graduating from the University of Missouri in 2021. She has worked with the Missouri Climate Center and conducted research on atmospheric blocking while at MU.