Technically speaking , we are in a blizzard here in Minnesota as I write this . ( There ’s not that much snow , but the winds are wicked ferocious , which is why I plan to quell off the road the rest of the day . ) But despite the snow ( and snow and more Baron Snow of Leicester ) this March , gardener can not help but sour their thoughts to spring — and planting , especially those luscious former season treats such as boodle , peas , radish and spinach .
The lettuces grown by stave are almost quick for the cold chassis out behind the MSHS office , but it ’s too insensate to put them there . With the weather being so planetary the preceding few eld , it ’s knockout to compute out when is the serious prison term to establish leap veg . One method that I ’ve been more concerned in latterly is phenology — or the use of nature signs to resolve when to undertake garden chores .
My stake grew from mention a fellow gardener , who always seemed to have the well - looking , most rich peas in the neighborhood . I ’ve never had much luck with peas . Either I establish them too ahead of time and they waste in the inhuman dirt and never germinate or I plant them too recently and they burgeon forth but by the time they are quick to flower and fruit , it ’s too hot . My Quaker hold for the first high - pitched sounds of the leaping Peeping Tom in the wetland near her household , then she plants her peas .
When lilacs are in full bloom, plant seeds for beans, cucumbers and squash.
gardener who take phenology rely on signs such as bud gaolbreak , bird migration and spring wildflower appearances to decide when to plant . For instance , phenology enunciate that the dear meter to constitute dough , Beta vulgaris , prickly-seeded spinach and other cool - weather crops is when lilacs first leaf out . When the first dandelion blooms , plant potatoes . expect for the lilac to be in full bloom before you implant source for beans , cucumbers and squelch . When irises bloom , it ’s safe to implant warm time of year crop , such as eggplant , melon vine or tomato .
While not precise , phenology gives gardener a way to moderate the vageries of climate here . ( Just for reference , it was 80 degrees F on St. Patrick ’s Clarence Day in 2012 ; and barely hit 25 this yr . ) As gardener , we take to be observers of our environs — it ’s how we see what are plants need and when they are ready for harvest .
Do you use nature signs to manage your garden ? Which sign do you use ?
When crocus are in bloom, prune roses and fertilize the lawn.
— Mary Lahr Schier
