It might feel like summer this weekend, but gardeners are warned to heed a Czech legend that guards against a late frost. The legend is known under various names, including the Three Frozen Kings, the three icemen – tři ledovi muži – or Three Ice Saints, Three Frozen Men and Three Iron Men, and warns […]
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Killing freeze expected in Iowa
It might seem like months ago, but just last week, on Oct. 24, Iowa hit record-high temperatures, in the 80s. Now, maybe unsurprisingly, the state is hitting the deep freeze. Hardier flowers, such as zinnias and black-eyed Susan, and even less hardy plants, including tomatoes, may have survived overnight temperatures that dipped into the low […]
Rime ice vs. hoarfrost in Iowa
Freezing fog painted a pretty picture in Iowa this morning, but also created icy roads that, tragically, likely contributed to a deadly pileup on Interstate 80 near Iowa City. Fog is forecast again for Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Iowa, so take care on the roads. Meteorologists refer to the coating of white on leaves […]
How to prepare for an early frost
UPDATE, Oct. 7, 2022: If you’ve escaped the frost so far, take heed tonight, as a freeze warning has been issued in Iowa, with temperatures predicted to dip into the 20s from Friday into Saturday. One week ago, parts of Iowa sustained record heat on Sept. 20, 2022, with temperatures in the upper 90s. Tonight, […]
Czech legend of Three Frozen Kings offer...
Few days have tempted gardeners to plant early in Iowa this spring. With daytime temperatures hovering in the 50s and nights even colder, already into May, many gardeners are waiting for more conducive weather. Related: Slow start to morel mushroom season Still, with 70-degree days (hopefully) on the horizon, a Czech legend offers a warning […]
Czech Three Kings lore warns gardeners o...
Temperatures that soared into the upper 80s in Iowa and elsewhere in the Midwest this weekend are giving way to overnight lows in the 30s. While a hard freeze isn’t predicted, at least for now, it’s not unheard of to have a late-season frost in Iowa. Czech lore, brought to the United States by immigrants, […]
Connecting Good Friday planting to potat...
Gardening folklore that calls for planting potatoes on Good Friday could create issues with the crop-devouring Colorado potato beetle, according to at least one Iowa gardener. The organic gardener said he has successfully avoided the voracious beetle by waiting until around June 1 to plant his potatoes. Planting early almost ensures that the Colorado potato […]
Frosty phenomenon in Iowa: the differenc...
If you’ve ventured outdoors in Iowa in recent days, or have seen the picturesque photos of white-coated trees posted on social media, you might wonder what is behind that frosty phenomenon. Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, notes that hoarfrost forms under cold, clear skies. Any moisture in the air goes […]
Bracing for an early frost in Iowa
UPDATE Oct. 15, 2020: If you escaped the frost so far this fall, take heed tonight, as temperatures are expected to dip below freezing for much of the eastern third of the state. Forecasts this week call for possible frost in Iowa from Thursday night, Oct. 1, into Friday morning. According to Iowa State University […]
Woolly Bear caterpillars and weather pre...
In case you haven’t heard, colder weather is forecast for Iowa this weekend. Not only could much of the state experience the first frost of fall, but a freeze is predicted that could kill all sensitive vegetation from Friday night, Oct. 11, into Saturday morning, Oct. 12. Bring indoors any houseplants that have been outside […]