Topic: When is spring?

[gavin]

Following aquilegia in Edibles/Fennel

Those phrases like "late spring" etc on seed packets and in books were suitably flexible and vague, I thought, until I found these dates in an old book

• "Spring starts on 21st March, and lasts 92 days and 21 hours;
  
• Summer starts on 21st June, and lasts 93 days and 14 hours;
  
• Autumn starts on 23rd September, and lasts 89 days 17 3/4 hours;
  
• and Winter starts on 21st December, and lasts 89 days and 1 hour."
  

Which suggests that early spring means "late March-early April"?  Late spring = "late May-early June"?

And we're still in early winter - now there's a cheery thought! >:(

Can anyone shed any light?

All best - Gavin

[tim]

- and this is the guy who's given us temperature maps!

As you say - it's all geared around the south coast for the seed people!! But I would put all your dates 3 weeks earlier. = Tim

PS just had a look - I do my first sowings as soon as it feels nice in the little greenhouse. That always works out as 1st week in April - a month earlier for Aubergines.

[cleo]

when indeed? It`s one of those things that has no answer,so much depends on soil type and location. Here on the lincs/cambs border on light soil I can get away with sowing at least three weeks sooner than when I lived in Leeds and had heavy soil.

My suggestion is to look when garden centres get their stuff in for sale and add three weeks-not that I have any vested interest in getting folk to look for little growers who care you understand  ;D

stephan

[The gardener]

I have had a go at catering for us' in't North'

Have a look at 'Zones' on my website and let me know what you think.

[cleo]

Must admit that I never got beyond Artichokes as the chip van is due soon-but was well impressed. You are so right about Jerusalem chokes,lift them and avoid all that weedy regrowth from the baby tubers.

Smiling Cat Herbs

[Garden Manager]

I always consider 'Spring' as March to May ie, 1st march to the 31st of May.  I never go far wrong working on this basis. early march is when the first of the true spring flowers come out in my garden, and when buds start to break on the trees and shrubs. It is also the time when i begin the spring pruning.

This said in the last couple of years some of these 'spring indicators' have started to appear towards the end  of February.  This combined with winter not usualy starting until January, makes for a nice and short winter down my way! ;)

[Muddy_Boots]

Same down here in Kent!

Winter   :   Dec - Feb
Spring    :   March - May
Summer :   June - August
Autumn  :   Sept - Nov

Kate