Hello to warm weather!
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Hello to warm weather!
- From: N* S*
- Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 10:24:54 -0800
Hello everyone and happy new year! I have been out of town much of
the last several weeks which is why you've not heard much from me,
and I have quite a backlog of messages waiting to be read so I can
catch up on what everyone has been discussing.
Having returned to San Diego late yesterday from a visit to Yosemite
(in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains) and a stop in Pasadena
California to see the Rosebowl Parade floats on display (wonderful!),
I only this morning had a chance to stroll the garden. As is typical
this time of year, we are having a warm Santa Ana wind (actually,
"warm" is the definition of a Santa Ana wind). Usually, these hot
dry winds arrive in mid December so they are a week or two late, but
expected nonetheless. I've lived nearly my entire life in Southern
California, yet Santa Anas still fascinate me. Last night, I walked
through my yard and could feel alternating currents of very cool air
and very warm air, much like one feels when walking around in the
desert after sunset -- i.e. after the sun goes down down, the air
nearest the ground is heated by reradiation and rises into the cooler
air currents that are settling from higher in the atmosphere. You
can stand still and feel the undulating/alternating currents of
cool/warm/cool/warm. If you've never experienced this kind of air
mixing, it is absolutely amazing.
As I went to sleep last night, I was pondering whether the plants in
my garden would fall prey to this false spring. Sure enough, on this
morning's stroll, the youngest nectarine tree (third season this
year) has sprouted delicate pink flowers and the bees are buzzing
around it. Too bad the blooms will fall in a week or so when winter
weather returns. And it makes me wonder if the trees will suffer
from having to expend energy for blooming twice within a few months.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
I wish you all a wonderful 2001 with wonderful flowers and wonderful foliage!
Nan
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Nan Sterman
San Diego County California
Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
