Using Phenology to Guide Our Gardening
Phenology is the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena and it can help us be better gardeners! On the farm I have come to associate the cycles of wild plants and animals with the tasks needing to be done on the farm. Here are some examples of the associations I make:
Wood frogs croaking, woodcock mating ritual -- aka February -- it's time to prune most shrubs and frost-seed wildflowers and clover.
Daffodils blooming, chickweed growing, juncos (snow birds) gathering to depart, grass "greening up" aka March -- it's time to start spring seeds indoors! If temps are moderate, some seeding can happen outside too. Potatoes can go in the ground too (you have a broad window for these).
Spring peepers peeping, Perennial plants "waking up," chickweed and deadnettle in full bloom -- aka early April -- time to start seeding in earnest! Summer plants can be started indoors and plants of many kinds outdoors. Clear off only the garden beds you'll need early for the best ecosystem benefits.
Insects buzzing and flying around much more, migrant bird species showing up -- Late April/earlyMay -- it's finally time to "clean up" the rest of the garden beds! Doing so before now can affect the ability of insects to successfully overwinter in your garden. Summer plants can go in the ground outside with adequate protection.
I personally have found these cues to be much more joyful and easier to remember than calendar references. Over the years, I have also learned that the challenges for a farmer are much different than the challenges of a gardener. I have learned a lot from participating as a grower under both of these frameworks.
Bellair Farm through the seasons:
