Spring appears to have sprung early in Bell Block as though out Taranaki, along with many other parts of the country, records high temperatures and little rain. The unseasonably warm weather, known as a “false spring”, has seen a growth in sales of fruit trees, shrubs and summer vegetable seeds weeks ahead of usual. The warm weather also caused pine trees to release yellow pollen, which resulted in a few emails to bellblock.co.nz from people reporting there had been a dust storm after finding their cars coated. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research climate summary for July shows mean temperatures in Bell Block were well above average and above average for the rest of the region. Bell Block’s Big Jims Garden Centre owner Vince Naus also said the warm weather had seen an increase in customers. “It’s very good for this time of the year, it’s going really well,” Mr Naus said. “People are keen to get planting and get going, people are physically getting out in their garden and enjoying doing stuff.” Mr Naus said while he did expect a cold snap before spring finally set in for good it wouldn’t matter if people got their planting done early.
