Spring Rains Bring Spring Flowers

For those of you who live in the Southern regions of our fair country and even for us who live in the Northwest, the flowers are starting to pop. For sure more slowly here in the Northwest than down south. My friends in Richmond, CA already have Peach blossoms! Yum. Here in Portland, the earliest of plums, usually Japanese or the red varieties of plums, are just at the 'popcorn' stage. The flowers from a distance, if you squint or just have bad eyesight, look like popcorn. The procession of flowers is just beginning, and will continue on for some months. The latest of bloomers, at least here in the Northwest, will be those figs, pomegranates if we're lucky, and the later variety of apples. As a general rule, the earlier the flower, the earlier the fruit.

Why do I bring up flowers when this is a fruit blog? Well, flowers, having the ovaries, will eventually bear the fruit which we all want, right?! Now is the critical time when the fruit begins, the most delicate dance with flower and pollinator, both of which are subject to the whims of nature. Almost poetic. Take a look outside. What is the weather like. Here in Portland, it is raining like mad and cool around 50 F. Now rain can knock off flowers, cause blossom rot, or prevent pollinators from doing their job. Cool temperatures, generally below 50 F, can prevent pollinators from flying/moving. The weather at blossom time will influence the fruit.

I want to note here that pollinators can mean more than European honey bees or Apis mellifera. I know folks are really worried about the bees, but mason bees, native hover flies, native ground dwelling bees, serphid flies, flies, beetles, and wasps also play a large role in pollination, so give the bugs a break. Most of the bees native to America are ground dwelling. A good way to promote their habitat is a good rock pile left alone. Ground disturbance destroys their nests. It is also good to have beneficial plants that flower around the same time as your fruit trees, making the area even more enticing to pollinators and provide habitat.

Even with the change in climate we are experiencing, it is good to note and remember your spring weather. This will be key to selecting varieties of fruit that are suited to your region. The extension offices of your county should have a really good list of suitable fruits for your area. If not, look to a local nursery and see what they are selling, though they tend to push the envelope a bit on what is appropriate. If that doesn't help, go to a farmers market and ask around for farmers with fruit trees. They'll be sure to know.