Is April the new May

[Alice]

Any grapes interested in whether the weather is getting warmer and what this means for our flora and fauna might like a look at this site. You can record your own observations there.
http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/

[JennieAtkinson]

Certainly doesn't feel like May here today!

[rustylady]

Keeping my own temperature records on the computer. Only started last year, but so far we're a little higher both on maximum and minimum. Desperately need some rain though.

[Nicos]

Is April the new May????

Well it is until it starts to snow/sleet/hail !!!!

[Alice]

Well it is until it starts to snow/sleet/hail !!!!

But the birds and bees don't seem to mind any of that. Must be something else at work.

[Paulottie]

It has a picture of the Holly Blue butterfly on it.

Wasn't that the one misrepresented as the pea moth the other day?

So dry here, I keep thinking I'm going to come unstuck by a sudden frost but having to plant stuff out as it's all growing so quick. Runners two foot high and winding!

Will August be the new October!? I have no doubt a hosepipe ban will start the precipitations.

[annaradiog]

it has been a scorcher of a month, its like summer. As nice as it is, it does feel very unnatural.

[Alice]

Some of the ornamentals in my garden definitely think April is the new May.
That's when I usually see this flowering cherry and these rhoddies.

[Eternal Sunshine]

Wow Alice your garden looks lovely!

[SarzWix]

"May" Blossom?!

This is a picture of a hawthorn hedge near my lottie. I have always (in line with local tradition) used the flowering of the hawthorn as a marker for when to plant out tender bedding. The earliest it's been, in the 5 years I've been gardening, is the 2nd week in May. That was last year, previously it's been nearer the end of May.
Does this mean I can plant out my French beans, tomatoes & dahlias?! I bet it doesn't!

[Alice]

Thank you Eternal Sunshine.

Thanks for the pic of the Hawthorn SarzWix (I just love the smell of it).
And yes, it is very early this year - along with much else.
You could enter the date in the natures calendar link I put at the beginning of the thread.
As to whether it means you would be safe to plant your dahlias etc - well - you could make a note of the date and check back restropectively. Maybe they would have been OK, maybe they would have got wiped. Please let us know what the outcome would have been.

[Paulottie]

it has been a scorcher of a month, its like summer. As nice as it is, it does feel very unnatural.

Welcome to the vine annaradiog.

Alice, Looks beautiful indeed

[Nicos]

Welcome to the Vine annaradiog!!

- And lovely pictures Alice

On May day each year I like to have a vase of cherry blossom and for the past 3 or so years I've had to struggle to find a decent supply.
2 weeks to go and the trees round here are starting to drop their blossom

A few hundred years ago when we got married in early May, the wedding photos show trees in full blossom! There'd be no chance now. ( of blossom- not marriage!!!!! )

[Flummery]

Lovely garden Alice - we can't grow rhodies round here - not acid enough.
About 15 years ago here, there was a May that was like November! Sleet, hail, high winds. It was dreadful. We still don't know what this May will be like! I often used to make my May Blossom wine in June to get a decent showing. Still not much May open near here but the sloe blossom is going over.

[Alice]

I remember the May you're talking about Flummery. We had very deep snow and were snowed in. I've got some pics but no digital camera or lap top in those days so would need to look for them and scan them in. Might do that.