It Is Spring When ..?.

[Gardeneer]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[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.

[b54red]

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]

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

[SteveP]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.