The most recent edition of OSU Agronomy’s C.O.R.N. newsletter published by my Extension colleagues gave the September and October weather predictions that will impact harvest of agronomic crops. The backyard grower, community gardener, and urban farmer can use this data to make plans for season extended plantings by applying frost dates and predicted temperatures and rainfall amounts into the planting schedule.
September/October Temperature and Precipitation Forecasts
(credit Jim Noel, C.O.R.N Newsletter, 2018-28)
- September
- Temperatures will be a little warmer than normal, with normal predicted rainfall
- October
- Temperatures and rainfall are both predicted a little above normal
- Frost and freeze dates are predicted to be in the normal range
-
- Three month precipitation predictions
-
- Three month temperature predictions
What does this mean for plantings?
- Make sure to keep row cover or other season extension fabric on hand and monitor overnight temperatures carefully as we reach the October 10th – 20th time period to allow maturity and harvest of late summer plantings of green beans or zucchini.
- General above average temperatures should allow for harvest into fall of late summer plantings if protected as needed.
- Watch for frost or freeze events to plan harvest of sweet potatoes prior to overnight cold temperatures which may damage tubers and decrease storage life.
- Timing of over wintered spinach plantings should target early to mid-October for completion.
El Nino Update (8/9/18)
El Nino winters in central Ohio average warmer than normal temperatures with less than normal snowfall. Currently the National Weather Service has an El Nino Watch in place.
- Fall – 60% chance of El Nino formation in September – November
- Winter – 70% chance of El Nino formation in winter.