Use Natural Indicators to Guide You Through the Gardening Year
As I moved around and tried my hand at growing all sorts of plants in the Southern Great Plains, the Upper South and Ohio River Valley, the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes region, the Northwoods, and the Rocky Mountain Front Range, I developed a keen eye for subtle and significant changes in climate and weather patterns and the impact they have on nature around me. But it was only just a few years ago that I learned about the study of phenology and realized I had been practicing it for decades unknowingly.
The term "phenology" gets mistaken for lots of different words that sound similar, but the idea is quite simple. I want to introduce you to the concept so you can put a word to something you may have been doing without realizing it, and if not, hopefully give you a new tool to help you get more in tune with nature and what is going on with your garden.
A squirrel huddles close to a tree to stay warm when it is just below freezing. Having a temperature gauge in your garden is very useful when studying phenology. Photo by Gary Fultz
What is Phenology?
Phenology is the study of the timing of recurring biological events in plants and animals in relation to seasonal changes. It focuses on observing, recording, and understanding the timing of specific natural phenomena that occur during different seasons.
Gardeners and farmers can rely on a range of natural phenomena as indicators to guide them in determining the best time for various horticultural and agricultural activities. Gardeners keen on unlocking the secrets of the natural world can turn to phenology to comprehend the timing of vital biological milestones. These indicators are often based on observations of the environment, specific plant and animal behavior, and natural phenomena.
Here are some general natural indicators that can be observed in the environment:
Temperature: Monitoring the average daily temperature and observing the trend of temperature changes is crucial for determining the appropriate timing of planting, transplanting, and other agricultural activities. Different crops have different temperature preferences, and understanding their temperature requirements helps in decision-making.
Precipitation: Precipitation is closely tied to temperature as a natural phenomena, as the sun heats the earth, causing water to evaporate into the atmosphere and develop into weather patterns that bring about rainfall, dew, fog, frost, and snow. There are patterns in these precipitation cycles that can be followed over the course of the year and relied upon to a certain extent.
Native Plant Bloom: Observing the blooming patterns of native plants in the region can serve as a useful indicator of the timing of various agricultural activities. For example, the blooming of certain wildflowers can signify that it is the right time for planting specific crops or starting certain gardening tasks.
Insect Activity: Monitoring the appearance and behavior of insects is important for pest management. Gardeners and farmers should observe the emergence of specific insects or the presence of pest species to determine the best time for implementing biological control measures before applying insecticides.
Bird Migration: The arrival and departure of migratory bird species can indicate the changing seasons and the optimal timing for planting or harvesting certain crops. Observing bird behavior can provide insight into the availability of food sources and the suitability of the environment for certain plant growth.
Never Heard of Phenology?
These natural indicators provide valuable guidance to gardeners and farmers, and assist in making informed decisions about when to carry out planting, harvesting, pruning, and other important farm and garden tasks. However, regional and local phenomena vary greatly within different areas of North America, as does the knowledge of specific indicators to look for, so it is often difficult to build a solid understanding of phenology without having actively observed natural patterns in a certain area over several years or decades.
That’s why I have found it incredibly useful to follow a phenological calendar as the framework for observing natural phenomena. Ancient Chinese farmers and many other farming cultures all over the world have used solar markers and lunar phases to create their own phenological framework to track the seasonal occurrences common to their area, but the diverse populations of modern day North America have not collectively adopted any such culture.
Take the First Step
I’ll be sharing more about the different practices used around the world, but the most developed and geographically similar phenological framework that I have found comes from the Chinese solar term tradition. Be sure to check out my other articles on Solar Terms if you are looking to learn more about these natural indicators for your own gardening practice. But in the mean time, grab a journal and start making note of what you see happening around you each week, even if it's the beginning of February and you won't be able to dig in the dirt for a few more months. It will really help you get in a better mindset for your gardening this year.
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