With the area’s early warm-up this spring, many people are already anticipating planting their gardens. However others are talking more about weather change.

 

“We’ve had earlier warm-ups over the years,” said Clearwater Master Gardener Jeanne Dirksen. “It’s not a consistent occurrence.”

 

“We’re in a period of global climatic change which has happened many times throughout history. We’ve seen more severe weather the last three or four years. Instead of the week of gentle rain we used to get we’re now getting storms and long periods of no rain.”

 

Even with warmer than normal temperatures, spring in Minnesota is unpredictable.

 

“Plants have been coming up early this year,” she said. “If we get a sudden cold snap that’s going to really hurt.” 

 

She mentioned lilacs as one of the plants that have come out earlier than normal, but with the recent cooler temperatures they’re now in a hold. Maples flowered very early this year, however they’re wind pollenated which is fortunate because it’s too early in the season for pollinators like bees and butterflies. 

 

“Ground temperatures are still too cold to go out and plant seeds, it needs to warm up more in order for them to germinate,” Dirksen advised. “On the other hand, towards the end of April into early May cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage can go in, as well as potatoes.”

 

It’s also much too early to put out tomatoes and other tender plants. She cited conventional wisdom states it’s not safe to put out these types of plants until around Memorial Day.

 

On the plus side, Dirksen said if the area doesn’t get a late season cold snap we’ll have a prolonged growing season. Fall seasons have been warmer in recent years also, which helps to extend the area’s growing season even longer.

 

With the continual warmer temperatures, two years ago the local area was moved from zone 4a on the plant hardiness zone map to zone 4b, and with proper care and placement of zone 5 plants Dirksen explained a microclimate can be created in which the plants will also survive.

 

“Many things in the area got a jumpstart and are coming in early,” confirmed State DNR Climatologist Pete Boulay. “But with the cooler temperatures we’ve had in April everything has slowed down.”

 

March was exceedingly warm this year, which resulted in a three-way tie for fifth warmest on record and ice out dates on area lakes close to record-breaking, occurring three weeks earlier than normal.

 

It was also the fourteenth wettest March on record for the state.

 

“We had lots of moisture which has permeated into the soil, so most places around the state, including Central Minnesota, are looking good,” stated Boulay. “The burning bans in place are mainly due to all the dry plants and grasses which is normal for this time of year. Soil temperatures in the area started warming up early but have now cooled off again with the lower air temperatures.”

 

Boulay recommends visiting the state climatology office’s website at www.climate.mn.edu and using the charts they offer to help decide when to plant different crops. 

 

“Keep in the back of your mind that historically it can still get below freezing in mid-May.” he cautioned.