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Late Spring Weather Effecting Plant Growth

By Joel Hardy

04/21/2014

(KAIR)--Recent cool weather seems to indicate that spring weather has arrived about two weeks later than normal, and about four weeks later than last year.

That, according to K-State Research and Extension Forester Charles Barden, who adds that the cooler weather has had an effect on many plants in the area, most of which are blooming later this year. He says that by mid March of 2012, apricot, crabapple, and flowering pear trees were all in full bloom, but as of March of this year, only witchhazel was blooming.

Barden says this weather is ideal for people to get out and enjoy nature with a walk in the woods. It's not too hot, and the filtered sunlight coming through the trees is easy on the eyes. Most woodland flowers grow and bloom before the leaves have fully expanded to shade them, while their open prairie counterparts bloom during the summer.

If you enjoy looking for edible plants, Barden says April is a great time to hunt for edible mushrooms, but advises caution when identifying what is safe to consume and what isn't.

Barden says that just because some plants are late blooming, it does mean we will continue to be two weeks behind normal. Above normal temperatures will allow plants to at least partially catch up to where they should be at this time.

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