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With soil temperatures in the upper 40s to 50s, farmers around Minnesota are planting sugar beets, wheat and corn. 

“Farmers will have to work their schedule around some rains. But I’m sure they’re delighted on the other hand,” said meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley. “In fact, I know they’re delighted to see the rains because this early in the spring season that will help with soil moisture storage.” 

That deep soil moisture is beneficial to plants as we get deeper into summer, Seeley said. 

But does all this crop planting mean gardening season is here? 

“Right now, I don’t see a big threat in the month of May,” Seeley said. “It looks to me like we’re going to be warmer than normal.” But not without adding the caveat to “pay attention to the ones that are more cold hardy than others.”

Meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley spoke to MPR News host Cathy Wurzer during their weekly weather chat. To hear the conversation, click on the audio player above.

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With soil temperatures in the upper 40s to 50s, farmers around Minnesota are planting sugar beets, wheat and corn. But does all this crop planting mean gardening season is here? 

A farmer in a baseball cap stands in his cornfield on a sunny day.

Farmers are already planting, so can gardeners follow suit?

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