Warm winter could mean early blooms
Feb 18, 2015, 5:35 AM | Updated: 5:36 am
The warm winter weather could force some vegetation to bloom early. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
There’s a bit of uncertainty in the gardening world surrounding the Pacific Northwest’s recent warm spell.
If weather holds out, tulips, for example, could bloom as early as March.
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“It’s one of those wait-and-sees,” said Cindy Verge, executive director of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
In the Pacific Northwest, spring is a time of unknowns.
“For those of us who have been around a while [we know] that you can have beautiful weather and then, not so much,” said Verge.
That’s why the Tulip Festival is a month long. Hosting the annual event for that long almost guarantees visitors will see tulips in bloom. Exactly when the best time will be to go is still up in the air.
“My crystal ball is still really foggy at this point,” said Verge.
Between Dec. 1 and Feb. 15, Washington experienced the warmest stretch in state history for that time period, according to KING 5 Meteorologist Mary Lee. Temperatures in Seattle reached 60 degrees on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures to remain in the mid- to high-50s through the week.
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It’s not just tulips and other bulbs that could bloom early. Take KIRO Radio host Ciscoe Morris’ bananas as an example.
“I grow bananas at my house and they’re already starting to grow,” he said.
The biggest threat at this point is if the area gets hit by a cold snap.
“It might murder out plants,” said Morris. That’s because the plants will be growing and won’t be protected from the harsh elements.
A low snow pack could also affect our Northwest vegetation, especially at home. Gardeners may have to make due with less water if the area experiences a drought.
“Probably, we’re not going to be doing much watering of our lawns,” he said.
For now, gardeners and growers will just have to wait and see.
“We’re definitely in a holding pattern to see what Mother Nature does for us,” said Verge. “Because we definitely have better weather than everyone else in the country, I think.”
