It’s been a milder November this year and you have likely noticed the landscape doesn’t even look as wintry as it typical would into the second half of November. I still have some lettuce growing on a container in Harpswell where we’ve only had a handful of freezes.

The map below shows just how warm the eastern half of the country has been this month so far.

By this point in 2014, November had already recorded 7 days below average. This meant last year many plants and our lawns had transitioned closer to their winter dormant state of existence.

Dry Times
Rainfall, while not as heavy as last November, was three times what we have seen so far this year. The warm and dry conditions lately have allowed some plants to continue growing or even bloom again. I believe it’s really November that is the reason for any unusual plant and animal behavior and not October. The reason is this year, October while dry, was very typical with temperatures recorded almost exactly at the 30-year average. In contrast, the previous October (2014) was very warm. October 2014 averaged over 5 degrees on the warm side.

You might ask if there’s anything you should do to your plants if they are exhibiting unusual behavior. The quick answer is no, but with a few exceptions. If you planted anything this fall, be sure to give it a good soaking if the ground becomes dry. In spite of some rain in the forecast later this week, I still don’t see any widespread wet periods on the way.

Even evergreens which may have been planted earlier this year should not be allowed to dry out especially before the ground freezes later next month.

It’s going to be quite cold Monday morning, but this cold snap won’t last very long. There will be several more nights where the temperatures stay above freezing and we’ll get back in the 50s again.

No Big Cold Yet
Even next week continues mild, but it may turn colder for a slightly longer period later in the Thanksgiving weekend. However, don’t get your winter hopes up too much. The strong El Nino in place is going to be a big player in the nation’s weather during December. I expect a much stormier month in December across the country, but whether that translates in to more snow here is still questionable.

El Nino
Strong El Nino years can often start late. The good news for winter enthusiasts is that even a warmer than average December will still be cold enough to make snow. El Nino years are something Mainers are accustomed to. Some may not like the lack of incredible snow depths or deep cold, but perhaps that kale still growing in your garden might be harvestable for Christmas this year.

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