As these warm days allow the sun's rays to warm our skin and the length of daylight is noticeably longer each day, a fever is spreading amongst outdoor enthusiasts and gardeners.
Spring fever is a common affliction of the warm weather and longer daylight hours that accompany spring's arrival.
As the increase in daylight is registered by light sensitive tissue in the eye, the body secretes less and less melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles.
On the other end of the spectrum our body is now secreting more serotonin, which can account for our happiness and increased energy.
As spring is no doubt on its way early this year, many are thinking of global warming/El Nino and its benefits on our growing season, but don't get caught with plants out early less you will be punished by the polar winds that often still strike on a warm sunny day.
I have, myself been caught up in the excitement of spring in past years and was thoroughly reminded that the calendar was the boss when it came to putting plants outside via a nice cold wind that all but killed off our tomato starts. All the hard work that goes into growing tomato from seed to enjoy the deliciousness that is not the store bought tomato is a shame to lose on account of paying no attention to the ides of March.
What El Nino meant for growers of our region last season was that warm weather with some drought in the region was observed. For us, no doubt we had a longer season which was much appreciated when it came to harvesting potatoes from our fields before the fall's cold rains appeared.
This season's El Nino and La Nina according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is similar to that of the one that occurred in 1950. A quick look at the records from the Experimental Agriculture and Research Station that used to exist in Prince George (which will be a topic for another day on why we still need this) and we should have more rain than average this summer along with slightly warmer temperatures.
The increases in rain will start in July and may make haying operations a bit difficult.
It may be safe to say that beef prices the following year will begin to rise again if haying becomes difficult this year. Hello year of plant proteins!
Alberta however will have a warm and dry season yet again which could also cause for an increase in the price of beef and grain commodities (grain being an indicator for increase in all food prices).
The increase in precipitation will likely start in July for British Columbia and continue through the winter and could cause the region to have an above average snow pack.
As Mother Nature is always seeking balance, it may be a good idea to invest in snow removal for next year (hint, hint City of Prince George).
