Weather finally broke in MA

[nypd5229]

It seems that with the crazy cold and snow this winter, the weird weather pattern caused warmer weather to come a little earlier than usual. My average day for taking out my SWC out of the garage is May 1st. Tax day is a good barometer for when its time to bring out.

Buds have broke on half and everything else is swelling early. Only a few tips died from the extreme cold but hey I'll take it.

70 tomorrow and mid 60s after that for next week.

I have a feeling its going to be a very warm summer. Last time it was this cold the following summer had quite a bit of mid 90s days.

[AscPete]

Same here in NY...
I have buds opening on most of my stored potted fig trees, its almost one (1) month earlier than normal due to early warmer overnight temperatures.

[fitzski]

Yes I agree, it was really tough winter for us here in MA. My figs are in an unheated greenhouse and they are all budding out now with some brebas showing too. The last of the snow in my backyard finally melted last weekend. My in-ground fig is uncovered but not showing signs of life yet.

I welcome a warm summer, it'll give us New Englanders something else to complain about

Where are you located? I'm in Framingham (17 miles west of Boston).

[nypd5229]

Bellingham, close to Woonsocket.

[fitzski]

i grew up in Millis just a stones throw from Bellingham.

[nypd5229]

My wife is from Millis! Ha

[Rafaelissimmo]

I cannot understand how everyone gets bud break in their garages before they even water or take out a plant. My trees are always perfectly asleep come early April. The trees I brought out around April 5 are just begininning to swell but not a single bud can even be said to have started leafing out. And so it has been every year for the last 4 years. ?????

[Rewton]

Rafael, I observe the same thing in my container trees but chalked it up to the fact that most people use attached garages that get some heat from the adjoining house. Mine is a detached garage and has temps in the mid-20s to mid-30s for very long periods, especially in a winter we just had. Thus perhaps figs enter a deeper dormancy under such conditions that takes longer to come out of - just my speculation. Next year I will try what Pete recommends.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Steve

I, like you, have an unattached garage. I run heat on cold nights, but it is, mind you, an uninsulated garage. But I agree with your cogent observations. Fitzski, I am doing the same as you in my greenhouse, this is my first spring with it, and it has been a rousing success. I am quite please with the results, many figs are fully leafed out already, a few have been quite slow to rouse.

[nypd5229]

Even before using SWC containers they opened in the garage.

[GregMartin]

I'll start bringing mine out on Monday. The weather is looking great up here in Maine too.