I AM SO glad we had several frosts the last 10 days and rainy weather.
I am somewhat hesitant to say that spring’s arrival is wonderful, because I want to remind everyone that the equinox is the function of the calendar, not the thermometer.
From my perspective, the cooler weather that we have been experiencing, along with hail and rain, is actually far more preferable than the weather patterns we have had over the past few years.
Previously, by late March, temperatures have been in the 50s with lots of sun, little precipitation, dry soils and already diminishing snow pack.
Plant-wise, springtime is best when there is a gradual increase in temperature accompanied by constant moisture.
It is also crucial to have a large snowpack that will keep our rivers and aquifers full throughout our dry summers.
The water requirement is imperative for plants as they start their spring cycle as well.
Flower buds must have constant moisture in order for them to develop properly and to achieve their full size.
Consistent precipitation also greatly influences how long a plant will stay in bloom, which is key for good production.
If I want the maximum amount of strawberries, blueberries, apples, cherries, peas and plums, then the longer a flower stays viable, the greater the chance it has to become pollinated.
And since most pollination occurs by bee activity, the necessity of having these buzzing insects around is critical.
That is the second reason we all would wish for a slow gradual warming of spring.
In years past, temperatures were unseasonably warm, and thus caused many plants to bloom earlier than normal.
Temperatures were still very low or frosty at night and the week’s temperature was peppered with many days in the 40s.
That is not good for the bees.
Your fruit and berry plants would accumulate enough heat to flower, but the average daily temperature would not support sufficient beehive activity.
At this junction, I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the great advantage of buying mason bees for your berry, fruit and vegetable production.
Mason bees have much more threshold of temperature to become active and start flying around, seeking out your plants and because they are solitary creatures (not living in a hive) they are not susceptible to the mite problems and sudden high collapse syndrome which is devastating honey bee populations.
With that said, a gradual springtime increase in temperature delays bloom and ensures that flowers will be present when the daytime temperatures are sufficient for a high percentage of bee pollination.
We all have purchased many plants specifically for their springtime blossom, and anything that shortens their duration or lessons their luster is considered detrimental.
So, having a year like this is actually a good thing in a mild climate such as ours, when only a few degrees warmer causes a cascade of the aforementioned problems.
And with all this weather… stay well all!
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Andrew May is a freelance writer and ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May).
