At this time of year, it is really easy for cold and snowy weather to get the best of people’s good moods, especially with the extreme cold we’ve had the past few days. I know quite a bit about long winters, being from northwestern Wisconsin, and being the plant enthusiast that I am, it does …
Author: Derek McKay
1/14/16 Brief Warm-Up Brings 30s to 50s
The past two days offered relief from the arctic air that was in place earlier this week. In typical Iowa fashion, the weather made a 360 degree turn from the cold air, and today it was some 30-to-40 degrees warmer. Areas in the south and central part of state had highs soar to the 40s to …
1/10/16 Arctic Outbreak Reported Lows
Today was Iowa’s first real shot at cold, and coming out of a very mild December, this cold really felt like it had a punch to it. Low temperatures this morning were basically below zero statewide from -15° or colder across the north to around -2° across the south. Even though today was very sunny, …
The Good Qualities of Snow Cover
It’s easy this time of year to get a little sick of Snowcover and has many to wonder what good is having snow anyway? Actually snowcover has many benefits especially to landscaping and I’m going to discuss just how a nice thick blanket of snow can do wonders for the yard and garden! Currently …
A December of Daffodils, Heavy Rain, 50’s for Highs
The recent weather has many questioning not just around Iowa, but all over the Midwest how odd it has been lately. The biggest thing coming into conversation is the abundance of rain and the lack of snow and incredible December warmth that has been in place since fall started. Basically, we are totally lacking a …
Winter Interest Plants for Iowa; Part 1 Perennials/Grasses
We have reached that time of year once again – winter, even though lately being in the 50s, it sure doesn’t feel like it! Despite the mild weather so far, our landscapes are still dormant, and the “bones” of the garden are starting to surface. The bones, which are a very important part of any landscape, …
Nearing the historical freeze date for Des Moines
We are approaching a very historical marker in Des Moines this week. We are coming very close for the latest freeze record, a record that currently goes to November 11th. As of today, November 10th it has yet to freeze at Des Moines. The coldest so far being 34 and the forecast the next couple …
11/2/15 Summer-like warmth in November
It felt more like summer today then it did early November as highs climbed to the upper 70s to just shy of 80. Levels which are more typical for the end of August! These temperatures were brought on by strong southerly winds up to 30MPH with a warm airmass that is entrenched across the eastern …
Fall Color Report #6 – Peak Color in South Iowa
Peak fall color is quickly drifting south this week, it can now be found roughly along and south of I-80 in the states of Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. The southern Wisconsin cities of Madison and Milwaukee are still holding onto peak color as well. North of this area you will find that northern Iowa, all …
Fall Color Update #5 Colors Peaking Now
Now is the time for Fall coloring viewing in Iowa because it is just about as good as its going to get! Peak color is now being observed in northern and even parts of central Iowa including Waterloo, Dubuque, Mason City, Ames, Fort Dodge and Sioux City, Leaving the southern part Iowa including Des Moines, …