But Not Excessively So

• Posted on 8 February 2024
• 0

The gradual, seasonal transition has begun!

To everyone’s delight, the past week has brought sunshine, and warmer temperatures. Like a light switch being flipped, gardening immediately resumes. The temperatures have been just warm enough to ensure that we take notice, but hopefully, most of the plants stay in their slumber. As I mentioned last week, there are those “early risers”, that show their spring intent, at the first opportunity. That is how it should be. What is not desirable, at this stage, is excessive warmth, for an extended time period. Fortunately, to this point, the warming that has occurred has been welcome, but not excessively so.

The coming days do show precipitation in our immediate future. Mild temperatures, ensure that whatever comes ‘out of the sky’ will land as water. It would appear that an inch, or perhaps an inch and a quarter of total rainfall will occur over a four-day timespan. The speed at which our previous precipitation event has “soaked in”, demonstrates well, how thirsty our soils remain. Unlike our friends in Southern California, we are not being inundated. We might not be fans of the timing of the rainfall, but at least it is not a life disruptive event. Rainy yes, but not excessively so.

It would appear that immediately following this extended rainy weekend, a sunny stretch will reappear. Consecutive days of sunshine are always welcome! It is encouraging to see that these temperatures will be a bit cooler than what we have most recently experienced. With high temperatures only in the mid to lower 50s, perhaps even in the 40s, this will keep us in our normal seasonal range. Things should continue to be mildly warm and seasonal, but not excessively so.

Springtime exuberance is building! Judging by the activity on our phone lines this week, it has become obvious just how many questions you have about your garden. Every Saturday morning, live at 8 AM, we give answers to your gardening questions on: “Gardening Inside Out”. Listen to our Podcast anytime! Follow and contact us:  Facebook.  Email.  Instagram.

David Bates