North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>]

> What a difference a day or two of warm weather makes.  Friday nothing had 
> bloomed, by Sunday the apricot was about to bloom, the early daffodils had 
> opened, the forsythia were getting going, and the peonies had grown about 6 
> inches (since Friday.)  The apples are at green tip, the currents are showing 
> green, sap is dripping from the grapevine, and it looks like spring.
>   


It's funny that you're in a warmer zone (zone 6, while I'm in zone 5a), 
but my plants went through that stage a good month ago. My apricot was 
in full bloom March 26th, the forsythia March 25th, the peonies were up, 
apples and currents leafing out, and sap gushing from my grapevines - 
all at least a month ago. (Of course, everything came to a screaming 
halt a week later!)

Well, I guess some of this might be do to local weather variations, 
since we had a very warm March. Perhaps you were colder than normal? But 
I suppose I also need to get it through my head that the "cold" zone 
just refers to winter low temperatures, right? Just because our winters 
are colder, that doesn't necessarily mean that we don't have a longer 
growing season? Certainly, we have extremes here on the plains - cold 
winters and hot, humid summers. I need to stop thinking so 
simplistically when it comes to growing seasons.

It just struck me as funny when I read your post. It probably didn't 
seem odd to anyone else, but it sure did to me.

Bill
Lincoln, NE (zone 5a)

--
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary 
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin