Condition Monitoring Star of the Week - March 16th-22nd, Craven County, NC

 Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on March 22nd by observer with station number NC-CN-31 in Craven County, NC.  We chose this report because of the variety of information it provides to let us know about seasonal changes and general weather conditions in their area. Like last week's Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, the observer uses their interests and expertise to talk about weather and weather impacts in their area.  This observer routinely reports on the status of their bees and the effects of weather on beekeeping.  Overtime, we will be able to look at their reports to understand how weather changed over time and the effects it had on their bee population.  What skills do you have?  What topics do you know very well? What kind of work do you do that gives you insight into local weather?  Use your own expertise to let us know what going on in your area!


Categories
Agriculture
Plants and Wildlife

Over the past week the topsoil dried enough to be able to shallow till in the vegetable garden. Water table remains high - ANY precipitation is a cause for puddles to form and stand for approx. 24 hours - the ground surface for days after a rain is squishy to walk on. Birds continue to increase and nest; blooming plants : forsythia / pears / plums / dandelions (camellias where they didn't freeze in Feb - which they did here = no blooms this year) Some trees are beginning to leaf out. As for our honey bees - they are producing a lot of brood and bringing in a lot of pollen); we have had to add more space to all our colonies this past week - honey flow is right around the corner. {which also means it is a time to protect against black bears - who are very interested in the protein provided by honeybee brood larvae) On the agricultural topic - the farmers are applying pre-emergent herbicides at this time. Logging has stopped - no replanting has occurred as of this time in this area.