Forget the Equinox! Five Signs Spring is Officially Here

One can certainly define Spring as the season which starts with the upcoming Equinox, but in the Upper Midwest it's certainly likely to be a season which starts after said event. It is however also possible that Spring may come early. What are the signs that Spring has sprung and that Winter has loosed us from her frigid grip?

Here are 5 signs that Spring is officially here:
1. Male Cardinals fighting over territory and breeding rights. It's the closest thing to Bison rut I expect to see in my backyard.
2. Robins calling early in the morning to welcome in the day, as if to say "Hey we're back! Pay attention and wake up!".
3. The evening Red Wing Blackbird chorus letting us all know it's time to go home.
4. Rain. Just rain. Not freezing rain, not wintery mix, just rain. And without the promise of subsequent snowfall as temperatures drop.
5. The last of November's and December's snow has melted away to reveal grass which hasn't seen light in 4 months.

If these five signs are in fact reliable indicators that a new season in upon us, then in Wisconsin we aren't quite there yet.

Checklist so far:
1. Spotted on March 9 at 7:00 am near our Striped Sunflower Seeds.
2. Spotted on March 10 at 7:45 am in an oak tree near work. Saw 4 Robins by 9:00 am.
3. Heard on March 15 at 5:00 pm -ish. Blackbirds spotted at neighborhood pond.
4. It rained today (3/11) but they warned about the potential for snow.
5. Most of the yard is still buried. Only about 3 or 4 more inches to go in most spots.

It may not be Spring in Wisconsin yet, but we'll see which comes first: Spring or the Equinox.

What are the signs you count on to know Spring is here?

Native Ornamentals - Three Plants to Consider

Many homeowners looking for ornamental shrubs or trees look to flowering crabapples or magnolias as way to add color to their landscaping. Note that some of these plants maybe native North America, but many are native Asia. Three plants to consider when looking for something to brighten your yard in early Spring are: the Eastern Redbud, Serviceberry, and Red Chokeberry.

Eastern Redbud

Eastern Redbud in our yard early May 2013

This is the plant we get the most questions about from passersby and from our neighbors. We planted it two years ago, and in the spring it's a brilliant pink color. The vibrant buds last about a month, and other than the flowers which bloom in the summer in our yard, it's the most decorative plant in our yard. It's one of the few sources of color in our yard until the weather turns warmer. Spring in the Upper Midwest can be gray, green, wet, and even cold, but this tree makes things feel a little warmer and more exotic with its blazing pink buds. Ultimately it will stay an ornamental size growing between 15 and 30 feet high; this makes it an excellent choice when considering native ornamentals.

Allegheny Serviceberry

The White Flowers of the Serviceberry

Amelanchier laevis is a good example of the beauty Serviceberry can bring to your yard. Many varieties of serviceberry are native to North America, and a few are native to Europe or Asia. These plants can grow lowly and present like a bush, while others grow more like a shrub or tree. This Allegheny Serviceberry was planted last year in our yard and flowered almost immediately. The flowers grow in showy white bunches, and the subsequent fruit drew the attention of Robins and Cardinals. It did so well last year, that we are looking to purchase two more this year. The white blooms of the Serviceberry added a nice splash of color at the back of our wildflower garden which in May was otherwise entirely green. This plant will grow to a size similar to the Redbud, maxing out at 12 to 25 feet.

Red Chokeberry

These were the Chokeberry flowers before the rabbits ate our beautiful shrubs.

Red Chokeberry is another option which like Serviceberry will flower with white blooms in the early Spring. The flowers will attract pollinators early in Spring to your garden, and later in the summer the plant will produce red berries. The plant's foliage turns a vibrant red in the Fall, so it provides good color for landscaping two times during the year. This plant is more of shrub than the previous two and its maximum height is 12 feet. This is also a plant which you may want to place a guard around. Two years ago, we planted two Red Chokeberries, and after two long winters, the rabbits had successfully chewed both down to stubs.

These are only a few examples of native plants which can be used as ornamentals. If you are looking for early Spring color to welcome in Summer, they are excellent choices. Happy planting.

Winged Wednesday: Let the Migrations Begin!

There are a handful of months during the year which I find particularly exciting. The first of which is just kicking off. The spring migration (March - May) is an exciting time. During March and April, we can reasonably expect to see an overlap of visitors. The Dark Eyed Juncos and Pine Siskins who arrived during the fall migration will still be around as the American Robins and Red Winged Blackbirds begin to arrive.

It's hard to imagine that the spring migration is upon us since there is still snow on the ground which has persisted since December, but it would seem that the thaw could be upon good portions of the upper Midwest by this weekend.

Male Red Winged Blackbird Singing

The first wave of visitors is always the most interesting to watch. In the evenings when I leave work it's currently silent, but in the coming weeks I can count on a chorus of Red Winged Blackbirds to greet me as I depart. They gather into large flocks to roost at night for the first few weeks after they arrive and then they seem to disperse. The same can be said of the Common Grackles in some local neighborhoods, but their song (while welcome) isn't quite as enjoyable.

Pine Siskin on my safflower feeder.

Their arrival also marks the start of departures. The Pine Siskins, Red Breasted Nuthatches, and Dark Eyed Juncos will soon move further north, and it's during this this window of time that our yard seems to be most active. Both the birds departing and those arriving will be on the prowl for food. Feeders with seed, suet, and fruit are good places to start. If you've left last year's native plants (now dried up husks) in place, wait to cut or burn them back until some point in April; this will allow birds to feed on any remaining seed or forage for any insects which reside amongst the leftovers. Keeping a compost pile can be a useful way to attract migrating birds as well; last spring White Throated and White Crowned Sparrows spent most mornings foraging in our compost.

It may still look snowy and white outside, but I assure you that brighter days are just around corner. Keep watching the skies.

Know Your Weed Ordinances

Many cities have regulations about lawn care, in particular they tend concern themselves with noxious weeds. Noxious weeds are typically highly invasive plants which grow rapidly and are concerned a threat to agriculture. The list of weeds varies some by state.

Here are weeds for you to be aware of:
• WI Noxious Weeds
• MN Noxious Weeds
• IL Noxious Weeds
• MI Noxious Weeds
• IA Noxious Weeds
• Federal List

If you are considering a no mow lawn you will want to be aware of these plants and local regulations. These plants are not likely to be something you have intentionally planted, but that doesn't mean they won't take root amongst your native plants. Given that going to a native plant landscape can stir some trouble with the neighbors, it's best to make sure any complaints they may have are not legitimate. Be sure to weed out or remove any noxious weeds.

Most municipalities have ordinances which read something like this:

Properties should be maintained, with lawns, hedges and bushes kept from becoming overgrown or decayed. Vines, grass and rank vegetation may not exceed a height of 6 inches on developed lots and 12 inches on undeveloped lots. Trees limbs near sidewalks should dip no lower than 8 feet from the ground. Overhanging branches may be trimmed back to the property line. Dead trees and limbs or other natural growth that is rotting should be removed.

Noxious weeds must be cut down prior to blooming, and in no case shall be allowed to grow to a length of 6 inches or more on developed lots and 12 inches or more on undeveloped lots.

Check with your local government to make sure you understand any local regulations before going mow free. Also consider lower growing plants when choosing natives, as this may help you steer clear of trouble.

The goal isn't just about growing native plants in your yard, but ideally convincing others to do the same, and this may mean being a good neighbor while playing by the rules.