By Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

September, and so far in October, was dry in Ada and Liberty Township. The local area received less than half the usual rainfall. October is stacking up to be worse.

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Trees and shrubs should go into winter with moisture around their roots. Growing tip: Water them.

During September, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 1.57 inches of rain.  The most rain for this month, 2.80 inches, fell in Hale Township, as measured by Tim Ramsey. 

The least rain reported during the month, 0.79 inches, was reported in Buck Township by Heritage Cooperative (Kenton).  During the same month last year, an average of 2.08 inches of rain fell.  The rainfall recorded in September over the past 10 years averaged 3.96 inches. 

For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in the townships was 24.47 inches, ranging from 29.86 inches in Liberty Township to 20.82 inches in Goshen Township.

Even with the extremely heavy rains in June, the growing season average rainfall was only 2.02 inches above the 10-year average for Hardin County for the same period.  A dry fall has allowed for farmers to get an early harvest, with several operators finishing up soybeans and making good progress on corn.  Wheat and cover crops have been planted with good emergence in areas with adequate soil moisture. 

Cooperative weather has also allowed for fall tillage along with manure, fertilizer, and lime applications on fields.