9/26/24 - Sunny and Warmer than Average...But keep an eye out for frost

Oct 1, 2024

• This episode was recorded on 9/26, but is being published on 10/1 due to technical difficulties.
• The hosts are Dan Fillius (ISU extension field specialist), Dr. Justin Glisan (state climatologist), and Madelynn Wuestenberg (ISU extension agricultural climatology specialist).
• They discuss moving to a monthly schedule for winter, with the last weekly episode on October 16th.
• Historical weather events are mentioned, including a 1959 windstorm and an early snowstorm in 1942.
• The current weather forecast indicates sunny and warm conditions, with a stagnant weather pattern due to Hurricane Helen.
• Climate predictions show above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation for the next few weeks.
• La Niña is expected to develop by the end of the year and continue into spring.
• They discuss the potential for a later-than-average first frost date this year.
• Aster yellows was confirmed in garlic samples from Winneshiek County, and precautions for planting infected garlic are discussed.
• Information on overwintering flowers and their benefits is shared.
• Cover crop germination has been challenging due to dry conditions in some areas.
• Updates on lacinato kale varieties and flea beetle pressure are provided.
• Sweet potato harvesting, storage, and slip production techniques are discussed, including methods for an African variety grown for its vines.
• The importance of soil sampling in fall is emphasized.
• Updates on urban agriculture zoning in Des Moines are shared, potentially allowing high tunnels up to 12 feet tall in yards.
• The podcast concludes with a brief discussion on soil temperature tools for crop planning.