September 27, 2006

Feature Article - for release the week of October 1, 2006

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

EL Niño & Your Garden

 A peak at the calendar will tell that summer left the calendar nearly two weeks ago, and at the last Sunday of this month, we lose that hour of daylight that was “saved” last spring.  It all means that fall is here, and for the gardeners among us, it means that time’s a-wastin’ to get your garden growing.

First the good news: this year our first-ever County Fair will be a place to show what’s growing in Okeechobee’s gardens.  Our office will be working with the Fair to add a large display of your own home-grown produce at this March 9-18, 2007 event.

And now the bad news: climatologists from the Southeast Climate Consortium tell us that El Niño has returned to the Pacific Ocean. This means we could be in for a cool, wet winter here in Florida.  Today’s column will highlight a few of the weather effects that may impact fall and winter vegetable gardens. 

El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

According to the National Weather Service, El Niño has returned.  The years 2002-03 saw a weak ENSO event, and the forecast now calls for a weak event this year.  However, it’s too early to tell if the effects of this weather pattern could be a normal or a strong El Niño event, such as the ones of 1982-83 and 1997-98.

While scientists are not sure why these events occur, El Niño events are a warming of large areas of the Pacific Ocean.  This hot spot changes wind patterns and causes the jet stream to move weather patterns across the globe in extraordinary ways.  The result of ENSO is changes in normal temperature and moisture patterns.

The bright side of El Niño is that it is associated with a less active tropical hurricane season.  But this is not all a good thing because the decrease in tropical weather may bring 20% - 30% less rainfall than normal to Florida in the fall. So it’s great for Gator and Brahman football, but not for crops and gardens. 

A Cool Wet Winter

However, once colder months arrive (November - March), the weather patterns change.  El Niño may bring more frequent storms, excessive rainfall, and cooler temperatures.  Florida can expect 40% - 60% more rainfall than normal in the winter months.  And, the increased clouds associated with El Niño mean cooler than normal temperatures during the winter months.

While average temperatures are often cooler, El Niño actually reduces the risk of severe cold outbreaks in Florida and the Southeast. The strong subtropical jet stream that is typical of El Niño acts to "block" cold arctic air masses from our area.  So, expect to be chilled to the bone, but not frozen solid when El Niño comes into play. 

Planning for Wet, Cool Gardens

Cooler winter temperatures mean those with temperate fruit plants like apples, peaches, and blueberries may see their plants bloom earlier.  Because these plants flower when they get enough chilling hours, fruit will set sooner.  With El Niño, moist cool conditions bring a greater danger that young fruit may be damaged by fungal diseases.

For our vegetable gardeners hoping to exhibit at the Fair, here are some things to think about when planning your plantings:

·        Be sure you have prepared your plant beds for good drainage.  Raised beds would be a good idea, so that vegetable roots will be above any water left standing in the row middles.

·        Choose varieties that are resistant to well known root diseases.  If you see a cultivar that is resistant or tolerant to soil-born pathogens such as Phytophthora, Pythium or bacterial wilt, that’s the one you want.

·        Plant or transplant a bit earlier than is suggested in our Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, as a lack of warmth and cloudy days mean that vegetables will take a little longer to reach maturity.  This is especially important for the warm-season crops like tomatoes, beans, and sweet potatoes. 

Vegetable Gardening Publications available

Commercial vegetable growers are advised that Vegetable Production Handbooks for Florida 2006-2007 have finally arrived in our office – come by for a copy of call to make other arrangements.  These are free, thanks to the support of Bayer CropScience and Vance Publishing. We ask growers to please dispose of previous year’s guides, as they contain recommendations that are not longer valid. 

Home vegetable gardeners, especially those new to growing vegetables in Florida, are urged to get a copy of our UF Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide.  It is also available free at our office, or can be downloaded from personal computers.

As we progress through the vegetable gardening season, I’ll update you with other gardening tips to help you conquer El Niño.    If you would be interested in attending a vegetable gardening class here at the Extension office, give me a call or send me an email, and we will let you know when these programs are being held. 

I’ve placed more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on El Niño or home vegetable gardening, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  

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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean Last update: 09/27/2006 .  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert 

 

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