Phenology: Planting in Tune with Nature

A Brief Intro to Phenology
Are you familiar with the concept of Phenology? Phenology is the study of patterns in nature regarding weather and its relationship to plants, animals and insects. For generations folks have taken note of recurring, cyclical behavior between our seasons and plant and animal life. For example, did you know that Japanese beetles tend to arrive annually just as the Morning Glories (Ipomoea purpurea) begin to open? Another adage is that a prolific berry season in the summer means a rough winter ahead. Frogs are said to call louder right before a storm thanks to the change in barometric pressure, while bats are said to fly during the day right before a hurricane. I am absolutely fascinated and enthralled with the connectivity of nature’s elements and I’ve been studying them for quite some time.

Rather than focus on a month or even a specific week of a calendar year for planting, students of phenology tap into the natural world right in their own backyards, observing the events taking shape in their very microclimate. It may surprise you that the daffodils which are blooming in your yard or growing space may not yet be appearing in the next town over. Shouldn’t we be planting crops based on the behavior of our own growing spaces?
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Phenology relationships initiated planting times before seed packets and weather forecasts were prevalent and readily accessible. While seed packets certainly offer a general idea as to your planting times (typically in spring we are told to start many crop seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before our last date of frost), you can get hyperlocal, microclimate-specific planting cues by watching what’s blooming outside your front door. Watch bulbs as they emerge, trees as their buds swell, migratory birds as they reappear, and when insects re-emerge from their overwintering nests. This is the language Mother Nature speaks to tell us when to plant our crops.

Snowdrops emerge in late winter, a much needed first food source for native pollinators and honeybees.

Personally, I mark the appearance of snowdrops (Galanthus) as the inception of my annual phenology calendar. I know that shortly thereafter showy crocus will sprout and bloom, which tells me it’s time to plant spinach and radish. Glorious, bouncing daffodils follow the crocus signaling the time is right for direct sowing beets, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. I’ve listed more planting relationships for you below.

A quick note, that tender annuals are certainly more fragile than our native, perennial plantings so practice caution and patience if you feel Mother Nature’s signals are too early to act upon just yet. While these guides have served growers and farmers for years and years, they are just that—guides. They are not hard and fast rules to follow.

When Crocus Bloom
Direct sow radish, kale, chard, and peas

Upon Daffodils Blossoming
Direct sow beets, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage

As Forsythia Flowers
Direct sow onion sets and lettuce

When Dandelions Bloom
Sow potatoes

As Maple Tree Leaves Unfurl
Plant out new perennials

When Apple Trees Blossom
Plant out cucumbers, bush beans, and squash

When Lily of the Valley Blooms
Plant out tomatoes

As Apple Blossoms Fall
Plant pole beans, corn, second succession of cucumbers, basil and marigold
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Upon Iris and Peony Bloom
Plant out eggplant, peppers, and melon

Creating a Phenology Wheel
If you are a student of Phenology, you are likely already familiar with the concept of the Phenology Wheel. These circular diagrams contain notations on relationships between plants, animals, insects, and weather. Journaling these observations is an excellent way to document and keep record of the events occurring in your microclimate as a reference for following seasons to come. I personally keep two Phenology Wheel systems; a month-by-month wheel, and a daily wheel. The daily wheel allows me to record anything I find relevant to that particular day and what’s happening within my surroundings.
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Let’s take this month of February as a demonstration. I’ve made notations for when I started seeds, when I tapped trees for sap (late this winter), the high and low temperatures for each day, the phases of the moon—and the appearance of snowdrops should be within this month too! Then there’s the month-by-month wheel which is a place for me to summarize the events throughout the year. This visual is simply an overview of natural occurances.

​Above: My personal Phenology Wheel journal. The left image is the month-long wheel where I make daily notations. Other observations and markings are on the margin. The yearly wheel (right side image) allows me to add events month-by-month in a summarized fashion. I add events as we go throughout the month.

I am a graphic designer by trade and love to use visuals, drawings, and journaling as a means of record keeping. If you’re a creative soul like myself, I encourage you to make your own Phenology Wheel. You can download my free printable I’ve uploaded on my website. Please share your wheels in progress with me as you get going—I’d love to see! I wish you happy planting, and a growing season full of abundance.