It's almost time to start planting seedlings into the soil.
"This is an exciting time of year," says Ajay Nair, assistant professor of horticulture at Iowa State University. "One of the crops that comes to mind is potatoes. Sometime in the first week of April, or the second week of April, is the time to plant potatoes... Other crops that can go out are the cool season vegetables like broccoli and peas."
During this hour of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with Nair and Richard Jauron, also a horticulturist with Iowa State University Extension. Jauron says if you live south of Interstate 80, you might want to cover outdoor plants.
"I’m afraid tonight we’re going to see some damage. I’m not worried about trees and shrubs. What I’m worried about are the fruit trees. If we have a hard freeze and we’re blooming, you’re going to see extensive die back on those flowers. The greatest risk is going to be south of Interstate 80."