Brace yourselves for another cold week with temperatures in the single digits some mornings.  This, despite the fact that I heard the unmistakable call of the red-winged blackbird this morning and noticed the slightest tinge of red in the trees, buds responding to the increase in day length more than anything we might call spring-like temperatures.  Buds bring flowers and flowers, with the help of pollinators, bring fruit and nuts – everything from acorns to blueberries.

Kim Flottum writes from Ohio in the ezine Catch The Buzz, (http://home.ezezine.com/1636/1636-2014.01.09.08.44.archive.html) that these cold temperatures we’ve been experiencing may affect fruit crops this year.  “The damage we might expect is a little complicated because it is influenced by many factors including minimum temps and [the] duration of cold temps . . . ”  The saving grace is the snow cover, which protects the roots, but blooms and therefore fruit may be affected.  He lists a number of fruit crops and what to watch out for.  Of course, we love our summer fruits, but the pollinators love the nectar and pollen that comes first.  As Kim says, all we can do is stay inside, keep warm, and keep our fingers crossed.  And feed our bees.