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 March 25, 2009 
Signs of Spring to Record.
March came in like the proverbial lion with snow, single digit temperatures, and howling winds. Where we live, it often starts this way.
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Sometimes, however, it creeps (sneaks) in without notice. This year it's just about on track. Some years back, I encouraged you to include, in your garden plans for early spring, recording exact information of when you observe first vegetation, flowering, and fruiting of native plants, as well as others you have in your landscape. It's time! It's happening all around us. Spring is "springing".
You would have to visit a soft wetland area to see the native North American skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) pushing through the snow and crunchy ground, but it is usually an early one to signal the arrival of spring. It is specially equipped to do what it does. But, then again, all of natures creatures, flora and fauna, are. This day, right across the way, the coltsfoot is flowering for the first time.
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First appearance of Coltsfoot within steps of my front door.
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I'm introducing the science of Phenology by way of example. The word comes from the Greek, Phaino, meaning to show or appear. Phenology is the study of recurring weather-related biological phenomena, the natural sequence of events regarding the time of appearance of flora and fauna correlated with climate and temperature. As robins and red-winged blackbirds might precede nuthatches and evening grosbeaks, the appearance of coltsfoot, pussy willows and silver maple blossoms also fit into a repeating scheme that is solid and consistent.
Gilbert White's Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne (England) records 25 years of the history of 400 species of plants and animals between 1768 and 1793. From 1851 through 1858 Henry David Thoreau recorded the first flowerings of as many as 500 species of plants. Scientists and vintners in France have attempted to reconstruct spring-summer temperatures based on harvest dates of the pinot noir grape in Burgundy from as early as 1370. Cherry and peach tree blossoming times in China and Japan during ancient festivals can be traced back to the eighth century.
The early appearance of red squirrels and skunks fits right in with this grand scheme. This study of natural events demonstrates that the timing might be different every year, but the sequence remains the same. In fact, one doesn't need the aid of a calendar. One could even construct a new calendar with no dates whatsoever. In its place, simply temperature, daylength, and, take your pick: the sequence of insects emerging, the sequence of buds breaking open, the sequence of flowers opening, of animals migrating or coming out of hibernation, or all of these, if you are ambitious. Paying close attention to these events and their timing gives us a greater understanding of the natural relationships that surround us each day. They all tie together.
As soon as the snow moves aside to provide room, the coltsfoot is up and blooming: one of the very earliest wildflowers to blossom. As I write this, daffodils are pushing their way up at least three inches above the soil in sunny spots. Before daffodils, you might see this month if you've planted them, Winter aconite (Eranthis byemalis), Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), Early crocus (Crocus sieberi) and Cloth of gold (Crocus susianus), Snowdrop (Galanthus sp.), Grape hyacinth (Muscari azureum), not a hyacinth at all, but a member of the lily family that blooms in very early spring. Some others bloom later.
There is great value in weaving these individual threads together. They provide so much information. For example, the Eastern Tent Caterpillar larvae hatch and begin feeding on crabapple and other fruit trees near the end of daffodil bloom while dandelion, trillium, shadblow, white spruce, Frasier fir and blue spruce are in flower.
They are about finished feeding and are preparing to pupate when red clover begins to flower. This is more accurate than any calendar, which could be two to three weeks off in any given year.
Another example: Crabgrass is an annual pest in lawns. It does not overwinter, but sprouts from seeds deposited the previous year. They germinate when the soil temperature and moisture is just right. Some lawn guides recommend applying pre-emergent herbicides "… in the spring when crabgrass germinates." No other information is given. No more helpful is the suggestion "… about two weeks before the last frost."
Most helpful, and calendar independent, is the knowledge that crabgrass germinates when forsythia petals begin to fall and lilacs have not yet begun to bloom. Careful observation and recording provides this information.
Listen for the first sound of spring peepers. Watch for the first appearance of the red eft newt and the bluebird. Correlate these things with whatever else you observe in nature. You'll have a new calendar. The dates should be footnotes because they won't apply next year. Or they might. It's a guessing game; but, not if you have a phonological calendar. You'll know.
Today, I'll write Time of Day: 1:40 PM; Temperature: 64.1 degrees F; Weather, partly sunny; First Appearance, Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) today, (March 18); Sunrise 7:04 AM; Sundown, NY;
Lat 41.89N, Long 74.2W. Happy spring!
From The Garden of Ed. Submitted for publication in The Towne Crier on March 25, 2009
© 2009 Ed Mues. All Rights Reserved.
eMail:
eGarden@MountainAir.us
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