Friday Favorite: Phenology
Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors (such as elevation).
I’ve always been fascinated by the old rules of when to plant things. Yesterday I noticed the first dandelion blooming in the lawn.
It’s funny because I was thinking to myself not five minutes before that it was getting to be about time to plant potatoes. The old saying is that you plant your potatoes when the first dandelion blooms. If you’re interested in this like I am, here’s a great list of Phenology that relates to vegetable planting.
Do you have any rules for planting vegetables that you use?
Filed under Around the Garden | Comments (3)
Not for planting, but I always know it’s time to look for ramps in the gully when I see the first daffodils blooming.
to kristin @ going country's comment
Susy, the rule for planting potatoes here is to have them planted by Good Friday. I planted my first round of potatoes on Good Friday; the second round about three weeks later; and the last round just two days ago. They are looking spectacular. It just about time to juice them up on fish emulation to keep them growing strong. I’ve never really side dressed any garden plants before but I’m going to give it a try this year. With the last frost date only a week away, planting will ramp up tremendously toward the last two weeks of May. It’s time to suit up and get out in the garden to do some serious weeding before the planting begins.
Have a great Phenology planting day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
Thank you for this link! The only one I know is to plant potatoes when the dandelions and daffodils bloom. We have had an early spring this year so I was curious as to whether I should plant earlier. I have a lilac bush right by my vegetable garden so I am going to have fun planting by its stages this year.
to Kristen's comment