El Nino Shouldn’T Be Threat

Gardening experts say El Nino probably shouldn’t cause too many problems in the yard or garden this season.

They expect to see more bugs and diseases, such as powdery mildew and rust, because the mild, wet weather is favorable to them.

On the other hand, plants that might be killed or damaged by severe cold probably survived the winter.

Fruit growers are worried the mild winter and early spring warm-up may encourage fruit trees to bloom too soon. They can be damaged by a late freeze, which often occurs in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

The most vulnerable fruits are the early bloomers like cherries and apricots. Apples, which bloom later, are less susceptible to damage.

“This is the most dangerous kind of weather we can have,” said Doris Delatte, who teaches classes on herbs through the Institute for Extended Learning.

Vegetables, ornamental shrubs and perennials can also be damaged by a late freeze, especially if they were just transplanted.

Delatte said gardeners should resist the urge to start planting seeds and plant starts before the ground begins to warm up. The right time to plant depends on the variety.

Tropical annuals like tomato plants shouldn’t be put into the garden until late May, or about the time lilacs bloom, she said. The same goes for impatien and begonia flowers.

The mild, wet weather is expected to continue through much of the spring, and at least one expert is predicting an extended rainy spell in June.

That could cause trouble for tomato gardens, which are prone to a fungal disease known as blight.

Christy Hensler, a nursery specialist near Diamond Lake, said the best way to prevent blight is to make sure tomato plants have enough space to allow good air circulation. That keeps the leaves and stems dry.

Also, watering directly on the ground around the plants is better than using a sprinkler because the sprinkler will leave the plants wet.

Hensler also recommends planting tomatoes in a triangle or diamond shape with the point of the triangle facing into the prevailing winds. That will help distribute pollen from the blossoms and produce more fruit, she said.