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Soil temps remain too cool for planting across most of Iowa

Iowa is one of several states in the Upper Midwest where soils remain too cool to begin planting.

Iowa State University Extension field agronomist Meaghan Anderson says soil temps across most of the state were hovering in the low 40’s before the latest warmup.

“We have had the 60 (and) 70 degree air temperatures, but they will drop back down later this week and next week. And then hopefully we’ll get a good warming spell and will actually get kind of those 50 degree and trending upward temperatures in order to be able to plant.”

She tells Brownfield farmers are keeping busy.

“We have a lot of things that we can be doing even though it’s going to be cold later this week and next week (that) aren’t going to be as affected as maybe if we put seed in the ground. So there’s a lot of anhydrous ammonia going on, probably some dry fertilizer, and then some pre herbicides being applied as well as long as the wind conditions allow it.”

Iowa State’s latest soil temperature map shows readings at 4-inches deep mostly in the upper 40’s across southern Iowa and in the low to mid-40’s across the northern half of the state.