1-29-2016

Main aspect of the weather for the next 4-6 days will be the cooler temperatures. Showers & low snow level conditions will prevail Sun-Wed. Surface snow is not probable, but one will not have to go very far up in elevation to get into the snow zone. After the system today spins by, cooler air will arrive. The main 'jet stream' will track over CA, for additional rainfall/mountain snow in the Golden State this weekend into Monday. For the PNW, a couple of weak surface disturbances will increase the showers, one on Groundhog Day, the other Thur.

As next weekend begins, temps will warm up a bit, under a dry ridge of high pressure. There may be some fog issues for inland valleys. What looked like heavy rain last week, now progs as dry and mild. Rain & blustery conditions are now modeled to return to the PNW in the Feb 12-15 period.

-Rufus

1-27-2016

For Eugene, more rain for the reservoirs.  Lows in the high 30's and highs  in the flow 50's.  Two days  of rain, then more cloudy weather.  Willamette Pass has over 60 inches of snow.

For central Oregon, lows in the chilling mid 20's and highs mid 30's.  Looks like two days of snow showers then cloudy.

Time for family, snow skiing, vacations, and getting ready for the next year of gardening and farming.

Lots of pruning and gardening classes going on in central Oregon and Lane County.  Check the local Extension web sites.

Spent 5 days in Jamaica.    Yes, someone had to do it!!  Learned about a new orchard crop - ackee.  Originally there was interest in growing hazelnuts.

This week

Another week of winter weather.  For the Eugene area:  low 39 to 41.  Highs - 43 to 52.  1 cloudy day and 6 rainy days.

Central Oregon -lows 31-35 with highs - 41 to 47 so not much difference between night time temps and day time temps this week.  3 cloudy days and 4 rainy days.

Be aware:  I went to the garden store today.  I was looking for the DeCon for all of voles or field mice moving into our out areas.  Due to EPA regulations, DeCon is only in "bait blocks",plus  traps and sticky boards.

In looking for fungicide and insecticidal sprays  for fruit trees and berries, not much                          out there at this point.

For dormant fungicide issues, copper or copper sulfate is available.  You can find lime sulfur but only in 2 1/2 gallons.

Dormant oil sprays - there is horticulture oil that can be used in early February and March or just before the buds break.  For fungus issues during the spring and summer, No summer lime sulfur.

There is sulfur dust that can be used on bushes and grapes - mainly for powdery mildews.  There is a fruit and berry spray which has both a fungicide and an insecticide in the spray. 

Now whaat

Eugene area.  Lows 30 to 37F.  Highs 32 to 46 so still pretty
chilly.  Snow on Sunday followed by rain and cloudy
weather but the cold getting warmer at the end of the week.
Eugene Springfield got a dusting of snow, not quite enough
snow on the valley floor to satisfy the snow-revelers.

Central Oregon - lows 21 to 29 F, with highs 30 to 39.  Snow
Sunday with cloudy weather with a few hours of sun
leaking through each day.

Still time to prune, especially if you have a lot to prune. 
If you have just a few plants or trees, wait until February
 to do the pruning.

The cold weather continues to freeze the ground pretty
quickly, so mulch sensitive plants, keep any water line
protected or leave a faucet running furthermost from
the water source.

After January 1st, it is OK to start ordering the garden
seeds for 2016.  (Yes, I know, the real gardeners already
have their seeds ordered!)

After traveling the world 7x this year, give thanks for simple
things like:  porcelain toilets, clean water, houses that HAVE
 heat, food, we lots of food in comparison to other countries.
 One visit we were talking about food, and out interpreter told
us about when he and his family had bread and rice, 2x a day
for a LONG time.  Plant a few extra veggies for the local food
banks, give some the bounty away to someone in the
neighborhood that MAY need a little help or help provide
pruners to people that don't have and need pruners.  Just Message
me on Facebook.