There they are, the stars of the stage.This area is known as the Almond Center of the World. Almond orchards surround us, this being the best climate for them. The spring comes early enough to have them bloom in February; and normally, the spring is dry enough in February that the bees (who come from as far away as Montana --or was it -- North Dakota?) have a protracted date with the blossoms and set tons of fruit. In March rains can come again, after the fruit has had time to set.
Unfortunately, the temperature is dropping rapidly. A couple cold fronts from the north are pushing in, making the wind rise and the air cool. The minimum temperature at which bees will get their fuzzy little asses out of the hive and work is 45 - 50 degrees. If the forecasters are correct, the bees will only have about three hours a day to pollinate all those orchards. And all their work will have been in vain if we get the freeze that is also predicted.
I've been praying that the forecasters are as wrong as they usually are. The almond farmers need a break this year, considering how paltry the crop was last year -- cold rains spoiled the trees at the height of bloom.
The blossoms are beautiful, though, aren't they?
2 comments:
We're doing our best to pull the bad weather over to the midwest. We need it - we haven't had a good snow for awhile.
The temps are dropping here by the minute. The long-range forecasts have backed off the "snow" thing, but tonight is supposed to be very, viciously cold.
Team wish: SNOW TO YOU!!!!
Post a Comment