After an immensely difficult year for farmers and gardeners alike, this year’s growing season may promise better results.

According to Michael Skipper with the National Weather Service in North Webster, last year’s planting season saw several factors that caused several farmers and gardeners problems. Skipper said March of last year was the warmest March month the area has ever had. Those warm temperatures caused premature blossoming of several plants and trees, including Skipper’s own apple trees located in Winona Lake. According to Skipper, nearly 100 growing degree days were reported March of last year.

But the early warming did not necessarily mean a good start for farmers. Skipper said the warm March month was followed by a hard frost that damaged many crops. Coupled with the extreme heat and drought during the summer months, farmers endured what Skipper called, “a one-two punch” from Mother Nature.

Though winter seemed to cling to the northern Indiana area this year, Skipper noted April has brought a few growing degree days to the area.

“This year is different, we are behind a little bit where we should be in terms of growing degrees day,” he explained. “We have seen a couple days of growing degree days and temperatures are warming up.”

Today’s temperature average, according to the National Weather Service, is set to be 58 degrees with a high of 74 degrees and a low of 41 degrees. One year ago today reported a temperature average of 55 degrees with a high of 62 degrees and a low of 48 degrees. Though warming weather may cause many to dig out their gardening equipment, what can gardeners and farmers expect for the coming summer months?

NOAA graph depicts above average percipitation for the months of April, May and June.
(photo provided)

Though Skipper is able to draw conclusions about the current and past weather trends in Indiana, the future may be a different story.

Skipper said the Climate Prediction Center is currently anticipating a summer with higher temperatures and higher precipitation. This warm, wet climate could be ideal for growing. Though the prediction speaks well of the possibilities, many other states, such as Nebraska, are currently experiencing a drought and, according to Skipper, droughts often follow droughts.

Temperatures are also predicted to be above average according to the Climate Prediction Center.
(photo provided)

For now though, the three month outlook, as posted by the NOAA website, is set to have a 42 percent chance of temperatures above normal and a 33 percent chance of temperatures near normal. Precipitation is also projected to be above normal for the next three months as well.

For more information on current, past and future weather conditions visit the http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/.