But neither of these definitions will tell you when to plant your peas. To understand American spring, you have to understand phenology —the study of cyclic biological events. When does the red maple bloom? When do the robins return? When does the last frost hit?
Also known as “Blackberry Winter,” “Dogwood Winter,” or “Lineman’s Winter” (depending on your region), this is a brief but sharp cold snap that occurs after a warm stretch, usually in late April or early May. Indigenous peoples and farmers named these because they happen when the dogwoods bloom or the blackberries flower. when is spring season in usa
Ask ten different Americans when spring begins, and you might get ten different answers. But neither of these definitions will tell you
This is the one most schoolchildren learn. It begins on the vernal equinox, when the sun’s rays shine directly on the equator, granting nearly equal day and night. In 2024, that was March 19. In 2025, it will be March 20. This definition is poetic—a moment of cosmic balance. But it’s also almost useless for daily life. The weather on March 20 in Minneapolis feels nothing like the weather on March 20 in Atlanta. When do the robins return