We enjoyed record-breaking warmth in March which caused all the plants to wake up many, many weeks earlier than usual. But then the temperatures took a nosedive. In fact for the first time ever (well, at least as long as weather records have been kept) April was actually colder than March in southern Wisconsin.
My blueberry bushes are just loaded with blossoms this year. We’ve had numerous frost and freeze warnings in the last few weeks, and every time one is issued, I get nervous. In a very teeny tiny way, I can relate to all the farmers, grape growers and orchard owners that have endured so many days of weather-related stress recently.
My perennials would rebound if they got nipped by frost, but my blueberry “crop” would be lost for the season. I’m so excited to find out how many berries I’ll be able to harvest this year (I’m sure the Japanese beetles are thinking that same thought).
Our last normal frost date is May 15, so we’re in the home stretch, but there are probably more than a few stressful nights to come.