I always watch on April 23 for the trees to leaf out, I could probably tell it's just after April 23 without a calendar. The samaras have quickly grown from small reddish little whirly twirly seeds to larger green ones that fit perfectly across your nose.

And the azalea I planted for my Mom for her birthday and Mother's Day in the early 1980's when Dad was alive, is growing too big and thick. I've been thinning it out during winter and will properly prune it after the blooms have faded in late May. This is always a reminder of Mother's Love.

Azalea getting ready to bloom just in time for Mother's Day. 

As predicted the dandelions shot out of their basal leaf formation and flowered spot on time, and knowing they will develop seed balls shortly afterword, I sat on a stool and hand culled out about 100 plants including the taproots.  But they are tricky.  Today is raining so they close up to keep the pollen from washing away, and tomorrow when the sun comes out and it reaches an unseasonably 80 degrees, the dandelions will be back and smiling at me that they have the upper hand.  note:  plants beets when the dandelions bloom. 

Front lawn - never water, fertilize or use chemical lawn on April 25 2021. 

When forsythia flowers begin to fade the soil temp has reached about 55 degrees. 

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Each plant in the yard tells a story of what I should be doing next. I love the study of Phenology. The appearance of robins in spring, flowering of crabapples and lilacs, the flowering of the cherry trees at Planting Fields Arboretum.

Magnolia flowers at their peak of perfection on April 19th, 

White Merrill Magnolia 

Saucer Cup Magnolia in peak of perfection April 19 2021

And the dates of egg-laying of birds, like the doves who have returned a second year on April 12 to make a nest of small sticks on the motion detector light on the front stoop. The male and female take turns sitting on the eggs and have no fear of my coming & going from the front door.

And so many countless things that take place like the dates of leaf coloring and drop in autumn are all phenological events. They respond to a combination of climate factors such as temperature, rainfall, and daylength.

Of course, these can be measured separately, but what I find fascinating about watching plants is that they are programmed to combine all such factors to determine when certain events such as bud opening should occur.

Journaling is a wonderful way to tell their story. So I keep observing, learning, and taking note of life unfolding in my gardens.