It Is Spring When ..?.

Gardeneer · February 13, 2017

I think different locations have different signs indicating the arrival of spring.
In Atlanta it was red buds everywhere. Well of course daffodils . But they can be false
signals as they come up rather early.

In my new location I have yet to figure of what is the true sign of early spring. Robert suggested leafing of tulip poplar. But around my area only soft maples are budding. Now those are not leaves but seed pod buds. Oak, walnut, pecan are the last ones to get moving. How about birch ?
I planted some tulips last December. They are poking. But daffodils are in bloom around here already. Azalia , next to the house, showing signs of bud growth too.

What are your messengers of spring ?
Are they there yet ?

b54red · February 14, 2017

If you will look around you will find some tulip poplars in your area; but if you aren't familiar with them they will be hard to distinguish from some other varieties this time of the year.

Bill

Rajun Gardener · February 14, 2017

You are not even close to spring yet but it might seem like it. The saying in La is "it's safe to plant when the pecan trees have buds as big as squirrel ears". That has been proven wrong more than once.

It's safe only when you're close to your LFD and the 10 day forecast if favorable. Even then we can get a last surprise freeze. But the winner is when you plant early and it works.

Before you plant check the soil temp, the truth is somewhere in this post. Ain't gardening fun?

Gardeneer · February 14, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by b54red

If you will look around you will find some tulip poplars in your area; but if you aren't familiar with them they will be hard to distinguish from some other varieties this time of the year.

Bill

Bill, I am familiar with tulip tree. Beautiful orange/yellow flowers. There were many off them in Atlanta where I gardened. I cut down and split several dead ones for fire wood.

Raj, there is a pecan tree in the yard here. I will observe it.
In Atlanta we had couple of black walnut trees that used to leaf last. One year I thought they are dead but not so.

JohnJones · February 14, 2017

The freaking Azaleas are blooming in spots here in Central Mississippi. It ain't Spring. Not gonna be a good year at Augusta.

Hope y'all enjoyed me going full on Mississippi with the grammar in this post.

adewilliams · February 14, 2017

The National Phenology Network has a large amount of data that tracks natural indicators of spring. You can look at maps that will show you if the signs have arrived in your area yet and look back at years worth of information to compare. Here in Atlanta our forsythia has started blooming and the dandelions are out. No Tulip Poplars yet.

decherdt · February 14, 2017

How about that. There is a name for it, a dept and a network that publishes on the interweb!

SteveP · February 14, 2017

I have been going by date rather than visual signs. Usually that date is April 20th if the 10 day forecast looks favorable. Years ago they said April 15th was the last day with a chance of a killing frost, but I think that has been moved back a little.

b54red · February 14, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveP

I have been going by date rather than visual signs. Usually that date is April 20th if the 10 day forecast looks favorable. Years ago they said April 15th was the last day with a chance of a killing frost, but I think that has been moved back a little.

I quit going by those dates so many years ago. When following them I was usually way too late or sometimes early. Being far too late can really make a difference when planting many tomato varieties in the southern heat.

Bill

My Foot Smells · February 14, 2017

Spring is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

SteveP · February 14, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by b54red

I quit going by those dates so many years ago. When following them I was usually way too late or sometimes early. Being far too late can really make a difference when planting many tomato varieties in the southern heat.

Bill

Can you share how you decide? Do you just watch the
Tulip poplar?

Gardeneer · February 14, 2017

Now we are talking about SPRING and not necessarily tomato plant out time.
LFD if a good benchmark to go with when it comes to planting cold sensitive crops like tomatoes.
With peppers you have to waIT a bit longer than that. You can plant them without worrying about danger of frost alright, but they will just sit there pretty.
There is also climate differences. In some places like in the south, temperatures rise quicker right around the LFD and shortly after that. But eg in PNW it will take months to get decent tomato and pepper temperatures.
I don't think thaT an unexpected frost invalidates the definition of SPRING. Not all vegetation are killed or damaged by a light frost. Even tomatoes can tolerate few hours of 32F+. Then we are dealing with the nature that has no set rules. That is why we go by averages not actual mother nature.

Side Note:
After this coming Thursday, we won't see any overnight low under 43F and day highs will be in high 60s to low 70s. IS THAT SPRING OR WHAT ?

twillis2252 · February 14, 2017

Spend the Winter in Charleston and the best harbinger of Spring is the dreaded arrival of pine pollen. Last week had to rinse the pickup because of the yellowish powdery pollen has already started. Sneezing season will soon begin...

Gardeneer, I have seen many years where March April frosts with temps in the mid to upper 20's have destroyed the Peach crop...

Rajun Gardener · February 14, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

Side Note:
After this coming Thursday, we won't see any overnight low under 43F and day highs will be in high 60s to low 70s. IS THAT SPRING OR WHAT ?

Not for you, too risky to jump the gun more than a month but if you have extra plants and you can protect them from the windy days then go for it.

It's coming but just hold off for 2 weeks and then check the forecast. Check you soil temp too, plants will just marinate in cold soil. I use the grass company chart as a reference but you still have to check your soil.

Gardeneer · February 14, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajun Gardener

Not for you, too risky to jump the gun more than a month but if you have extra plants and you can protect them from the windy days then go for it.

It's coming but just hold off for 2 weeks and then check the forecast. Check you soil temp too, plants will just marinate in cold soil. I use the grass company chart as a reference but you still have to check your soil.

Def, I will be watching 15 days forecast closely late Feb early March. In case of bad weather my plants will stay in the garage overnight.

I sure don't want to kill them but I will have my second batch of 19 varieties, if worse comes to worst.
BTW: Creole is in my second batch.

February 13, 2017	#1
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,919	It Is Spring When ..?. I think different locations have different signs indicating the arrival of spring. In Atlanta it was red buds everywhere. Well of course daffodils . But they can be false signals as they come up rather early. In my new location I have yet to figure of what is the true sign of early spring. Robert suggested leafing of tulip poplar. But around my area only soft maples are budding. Now those are not leaves but seed pod buds. Oak, walnut, pecan are the last ones to get moving. How about birch ? I planted some tulips last December. They are poking. But daffodils are in bloom around here already. Azalia , next to the house, showing signs of bud growth too. What are your messengers of spring ? Are they there yet ? __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

February 14, 2017	#6
adewilliams Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 87	The National Phenology Network has a large amount of data that tracks natural indicators of spring. You can look at maps that will show you if the signs have arrived in your area yet and look back at years worth of information to compare. Here in Atlanta our forsythia has started blooming and the dandelions are out. No Tulip Poplars yet. Last edited by adewilliams; February 14, 2017 at 08:28 AM. Reason: Spelling

February 14, 2017	#7
decherdt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 329	How about that. There is a name for it, a dept and a network that publishes on the interweb! __________________ 500 sq ft of raised rows zone 8a

February 14, 2017	#12
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,919	Now we are talking about SPRING and not necessarily tomato plant out time. LFD if a good benchmark to go with when it comes to planting cold sensitive crops like tomatoes. With peppers you have to waIT a bit longer than that. You can plant them without worrying about danger of frost alright, but they will just sit there pretty. There is also climate differences. In some places like in the south, temperatures rise quicker right around the LFD and shortly after that. But eg in PNW it will take months to get decent tomato and pepper temperatures. I don't think thaT an unexpected frost invalidates the definition of SPRING. Not all vegetation are killed or damaged by a light frost. Even tomatoes can tolerate few hours of 32F+. Then we are dealing with the nature that has no set rules. That is why we go by averages not actual mother nature. Side Note: After this coming Thursday, we won't see any overnight low under 43F and day highs will be in high 60s to low 70s. IS THAT SPRING OR WHAT ? __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

February 14, 2017	#2
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	If you will look around you will find some tulip poplars in your area; but if you aren't familiar with them they will be hard to distinguish from some other varieties this time of the year. Bill

February 14, 2017	#3
Rajun Gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tomato Cornhole Posts: 2,550	You are not even close to spring yet but it might seem like it. The saying in La is "it's safe to plant when the pecan trees have buds as big as squirrel ears". That has been proven wrong more than once. It's safe only when you're close to your LFD and the 10 day forecast if favorable. Even then we can get a last surprise freeze. But the winner is when you plant early and it works. Before you plant check the soil temp, the truth is somewhere in this post. Ain't gardening fun?

February 14, 2017	#5
JohnJones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Mississippi Posts: 339	The freaking Azaleas are blooming in spots here in Central Mississippi. It ain't Spring. Not gonna be a good year at Augusta. Hope y'all enjoyed me going full on Mississippi with the grammar in this post.

February 14, 2017	#8
SteveP Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 1,398	I have been going by date rather than visual signs. Usually that date is April 20th if the 10 day forecast looks favorable. Years ago they said April 15th was the last day with a chance of a killing frost, but I think that has been moved back a little.

February 14, 2017	#10
My Foot Smells Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas Posts: 1,239	Spring is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

February 14, 2017	#13
twillis2252 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: SC & NC Posts: 258	Spend the Winter in Charleston and the best harbinger of Spring is the dreaded arrival of pine pollen. Last week had to rinse the pickup because of the yellowish powdery pollen has already started. Sneezing season will soon begin... Gardeneer, I have seen many years where March April frosts with temps in the mid to upper 20's have destroyed the Peach crop...