Ever wonder if those old sayings about gardening are useful or even true? For example, “Snow is the poor man’s fertilizer” (turns out, that one is true.) And many gardeners know the old planting rhyme: “One for the blackbird, One for the crow, One for the cutworm, and One to grow.” The saying has various origins, different constructions, and offers advice about HOW MANY seeds to plant, but just WHEN to plant those seeds in that fertile soil requires additional research.
Phenology, the study of plant and animal cycles and how they are affected by environmental and seasonal changes, can provide clues and answers to spring planting questions. According to phenology, events that would seem to be unrelated (lilac bloom and planting beans) can be linked and are indicators of when the local climate is suitable for planting certain seeds and transplants. Since phenology is based on local observations, it can apply regardless of what zone or local microclimate you’re gardening in. The Wisconsin Cooperative Extension and Cooperative Extension in Maine offer additional information about phenology.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac and others have long used these signs of nature as indicators for planting. Lilacs figure into many of these signs. For instance phenology indicates that beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, lettuce and spinach can be planted when lilacs first begin to leaf out and the dandelions are in bloom. When lilacs are in full bloom, they say, it is time to plant beans, cucumber, squash, and tender annuals. Plant potatoes when the dandelions bloom. Read more Using nature’s signs to time your planting