UC Master Gardener Elinor Teague has advised Central Valley gardeners on April 1 to prepare their transplants carefully as weather forecasters predict a shift from the La Niña pattern to an El Niño pattern, bringing warmer temperatures and little rainfall for most of 2026. Teague said the region may have already received nearly all its seasonal rainfall, with current totals at 9.56 inches compared to an average annual amount of 11.01 inches.
The early arrival of warm weather has led to rapid spring blooms and shortened flowering periods, affecting both plants and pollinators. This situation raises concerns about successful pollination for fruit and nut trees, as well as the health of cool-season crops that have bolted or become deformed in the heat.
Teague recommends that young transplants grown indoors or in controlled environments undergo a gradual ‘hardening off’ process before being planted outdoors. She said this transition is especially important with higher than normal springtime temperatures forecasted: “When daytime temperatures are above 80 degrees, transplants planted too soon in full sun will suffer scorched leaves, wilting and stunted growth.” She advises allowing at least a week for gradual exposure to outdoor conditions, starting with shade and increasing sunlight incrementally.
Gardeners are also encouraged by Teague to select drought-tolerant and heat-resistant plant varieties for better productivity through the summer months. She said soil preparation should ideally occur two weeks prior to planting but emphasized that hardening off transplants is more critical if deadlines are missed: “It’s more important to get transplants hardened off and better prepared for a long, hot summer.”
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), which supports programs like those led by Master Gardeners such as Teague’s guidance, secures funding through public contributions according to its official website. UC ANR promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to its official website, while utilizing nine research centers representing California’s diverse environments according to its official website. The organization manages Cooperative Extension services across all counties in California according to its official website.
UC ANR conducts over 33,000 educational events annually with support from more than 18,000 volunteers according to its official website. It extends university research into communities statewide through educational programs focused on sustainability in agriculture and natural resources; these efforts include workshops and partnerships designed to foster environmental stewardship and community development according to its official website.