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Weathering Kansas City’s extremes: 5 proactive gardening tactics for 2025

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Gardeners in Kansas City can brace for climate challenges by updating their strategies for 2025. Mulching helps stabilize soil temperature and moisture in the face of heatwaves and drought, as seen in advice for preventing blossom end rot in tomatoes. Paying attention to soil pH and consistent watering can improve plant health, especially with unpredictable rain and dry spells.

Watch for forecasts about severe storms, as strong winds and hail can strike alongside rising summer temperatures and humidity. By testing soil, amending as needed, and monitoring weather patterns closely, gardeners can adapt and thrive despite Kansas City’s weather extremes.

Summer-like heat and humidity will make its first appearance of the season this week in Kansas City as heat index values will soar above 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

NO. 1: SUMMER TEMPERATURES ARE COMING IN HOT, KC. WHEN IT WILL FEEL LIKE IT’S 100 DEGREES

The week gets off to a pleasant start. Here’s when it will start heating up. | Published June 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Cooler weather moves into the area giving Kansas City a mid-summer break from the sweltering heat, according to the National Weather Service. Rain chances return this weekend.

NO. 2: BREAK FROM DANGEROUS HEAT ARRIVES IN KANSAS CITY. HOW LONG WILL THIS COOL WEATHER LAST?

Pleasant weather will give Kansas City a mid-summer break from the hot temperatures of the past few days. | Published July 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

A number of factors can cause blossom end rot on tomato plants.

NO. 3: ARE YOUR TOMATO PLANTS IN A SORRY STATE? HERE ARE THE CAUSES, AND THE SOLUTIONS

It’s called blossom end rot. And it isn’t pretty. | Published August 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Reardon

Scattered showers and storms are making their way into the Kansas City metro Thursday morning as the National Weather Service monitors stronger storms later in the day.

NO. 4: SEVERE STORMS, ISOLATED TORNADOES POSSIBLE ACROSS THE KC METRO. WHEN COULD THEY HIT?

The storms could bring much needed rainfall in drought conditions, the weather service said. | Published September 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kendrick Calfee

There is a possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms early Thursday in the Kansas City area, primarily along and north of Interstate 70, according to the National Weather Service. Hail being the primary hazard. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed Kansas City and surrounding areas under a marginal risk of severe weather.

NO. 5: SHOWERS, THUNDERSTORMS TO PUSH INTO THE KANSAS CITY AREA. WILL ANY BE STRONG OR SEVERE?

Dry storms, known as virga, and well-above-average temperatures are also in the weather forecast. | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.