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Too wet to plant: Michigan State experts warn of soil moisture risks this season

Michigan State University specialists say excess soil moisture will be a major challenge this planting season.

Agronomist Manny Signh says soil temperatures are warming up, but most of the state is too wet for fieldwork.

“This year seems like the rain is never going to stop,” he says. “This is where we have to be very careful. We can cause issues for this year in terms of, again, muddying the seed in, but there can be long-term concerns as well.”

State climatologist Jeff Andresen says frequent and heavy rain this past month has been at least double normal levels, with some areas 400 percent above average.

“If it seems like this has been very, very unusual, it is,” he highlights. “Climatologically, in actually any month of the year, it wouldn’t matter, way, way off the charts.”

Entomologist Chris DiFonzo says planting in wet soils can leave open seed slots and an invitation for slug damage.

“That’s your slug superhighway,” she explains. “If they can get access to that seed down in that slot, even if the top of the soil is kind of drying out, that’s where we’ve seen actual stand loss from slugs.”

Andresen says much of April is expected to be warmer and wetter than normal, which will likely lead to a delayed planting start.

Researchers make comments during a recent MSU Extension Field Crop’s Virtual Breakfast webinar.