I have not measured soil temps ever. But this year I got a new electrical test/multimeter tool that happens to have a temp probe also. So I will this year. But I am not doing it in February because I do not need any more temptations to plant to early! Luckily it was pretty darn chilly this morning, reminding me that the nights are still to cold. And of course I am smack dab in the middle of Oklahoma. It could snow the day after 80*.

The temptation is real. Thankfully, I've left a number of tasks unattended, that will force me to wait until they are accomplished. Some of that is by design and some by indecision on what to put where.

I've been shopping remote soil and moisture sensors to go with my temperature and humidity sensor that monitors the greenhouse. In looking at them again this morning, I even ran across an app that will link up and display realtime information on my phone. Of course I had to load it!

I also use the same Mesonet map almost daily. Periodically I bump that information against the monthly historical data at my station. A lot of times, that help temper my urge to start too early!

For instance, last year around the 9th of Feb we were close to where we are now, soil temperature wise. Then in went downhill quickly. It was a few weeks before we got back up to around 50 deg. Long range forecast don't indicate that this year, but it is Oklahoma and who knows what will happen?

it is nice to see the temps coming up. The lack of rain in the last 30 days has me concerned. yes the drought map is all white but that wont last long if we dont get some rain soon.

It annoys me that there is no mesonet station in Owasso. Skiatook is the closest, and Skiatook gets weird weather. I tend to watch the info from the National Weather Service at the Tulsa airport, but of course, there is no soil temp there. Looks like I might be betwen 45 and 47. I should go measure, because the south side of my house seems considerably warmer than the shady north side. Sometimes I think the micro climate in the garden is a little warmer than the front.

There is a Mesonet station in North Tulsa at the TCC campus at Apache and N. Harvard. They have soil temp measurements. It's not Owasso, but it's fairly close. And the data is not as squirrelly as Skiatook.

As far as the warm weather, please don't be fooled. I know I was wrong about February. The real cold air did materialize, but it moved toward the East Coast instead of down the Plains. There will likely be another major, late-season cold spell. Things are happening now in the atmosphere that usually lead to significant Arctic air intrusion into the U.S in 2-3 weeks time. There is no way to know yet if it will head to the East again, but I wouldn't count on it.

This dryness is pretty concerning. We need some rain badly. For what it's worth, the more-typical El Nino pattern of a southern U.S. storm track is forecast to kick back in some time in March and last through at least April. That may not be good news for severe weather season, but at least we won't be dry. :)

Lee

Lee, That's good news about the moisture. I hope they are right because I've been worried about the way the jet stream keeps carrying all that rain to the southeast states. We are going to need rain sooner or later. I have found good moisture several inches down while planting cool-season transplants this week, but wonder how long it can last if more rain doesn't fall in the next few weeks.

I'm not letting the warmth fool me and do expect cold to return at some point. You know me....if I thought winter weather was about done for this year, I'd have tomato plants in the ground....and I don't. It has been hard to fight that temptation this week, but I know better than to be fooled by 70 degree temperatures in February. It is harder and harder to resist those warm temperatures in March though, so the cold needs to come back by March or I'll be putting some tomato plants in the ground far too early. (I got away with it last year!) I have 11 tomato plants in pots that have been basking in the sunlight and heat on the patio each day and enjoying a warm 60-degree room at night. There's no reason to rush them into the ground yet where they'd have to endure much colder nighttime lows, but the longer we stay unseasonably warm, the harder it will be to fight the temptation to put them in the ground.

Dawn

Thank you Lee, the North Tulsa weather station is probably closer to my weather than Skiatook. But, though past experience tells me a pleasant Jan an Feb can lead to horrible weather in March, I hope we squeak by. And I pray for rain and not tornados.