Valley weather over the past few months hasn't been nearly as tumultuous or dangerous as in other parts of the country, but it has been unusual.
An extremely wet winter that flooded farms and left the Sierra packed with above-average amounts of snow was followed by a spring with unseasonably heavy rains, overcast skies, hail, windy days and unusually cool temperatures.
The result hasn't been good for farmers. Some of the largest crops grown here, including citrus and stone fruits, are maturing late. Blooms have been fewer than normal, which could result in less fruit come harvest time.
"It was cold and kind of rainy for most of the bloom period," said Gavin Iacono, a deputy agriculture commissioner for Tulare County.
Iacono also heard blooms on citrus and stone-fruit trees were down since this year's bloom period began in February. Those blooms eventually develop into buds that mature into fruit.
Bob McKellar, who grows navel and Valencia oranges and Mandarins on his Ivanhoe farm, said the beekeeper who set up hives in his groves told him his bees produced half as much honey as normal.
Source: Visalia Times-Delta
