Today officially marks the first day of spring. The year of 2021 is looking hopeful and the day is a welcome start in the right direction. The birds are beginning to sing, the weather is warming and the rainy days are becoming fewer and further between… and in just over a week, you can have up to six people in the garden! Stay positive, stay hopeful and stay safe. Head out on a walk or around the supermarket and consult back with the list to see how many you were able to spot!
Flowers in bloom:
Daffodils are one of the most recognisable flowers to signify that spring is once again upon us. Their beautiful, bright yellow colour is one that can be seen at such a faraway distance. They are a flower that multiplies quickly and returns year-on-year every springtime. The beauty of these flowers is their flexibility to thrive in a variety of conditions – full sun, part-shade, un-bothered by animals and critters. The perfect spring-bloomer!
Tulips are another form of flowers that typically bloom throughout the springtime. These flowers are most well known for their cup-shape and variance of colours. They typically begin surfacing from late winter to early spring and are a clear sign that the seasons are changing! Fun Fact: In 17th-century Holland, the new tulip was so popular that a handful of bulbs was worth about $44,000.
Cherry Blossom, otherwise known as ‘Sakura’ in Japanese, are a traditional flower recognised within the season of spring due to their pale pink petals and their vast expanse on trees. The blooms of this flower can take place anywhere from mid-march to early-may, showering us with their floral beauty. They don’t last long though, with their blossoms falling away around two weeks after their peak.
Fruits:
Avocados are typically at the peak from around January to March, resulting in the best flavours. Throughout this time, they accumulate a higher oil ratio – leading to a richer, more buttery flavour and texture that we all crave. Avocados are high in health benefits too! Not only do they contain vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium and folate but they also work hard to help your body. They contain a lot of polyunsaturated fats meaning they can improve the condition of your heart, lower your cholesterol and keep you feeling fit.
Strawberries peak season begins to take place from April through to June. They are typically one of the first fruits to ripen in spring meaning that generally if you see one, you can grab it. This fruit is also fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free – making it an extremely beneficial component to include within your diet.
Peaches – We begin to see the tell-tale signs of their arrival from late-April to early-may, with their peak arriving slightly later at around June/ July. The benefits of this fruit are similar to the above but with a couple more thrown in… for a good gesture. They have a high alkaline level, meaning they can encourage better digestion. As well as this, they also contain a good level of Zinc, which has links in supporting anti-ageing and the immune system.
Vegetables:
Beetroots typically sprout around springtime and are particularly sweet and tender at this time of year. They come in a variety of forms – red, white and yellow and typically grow best in sunny locations with an air of coolness. If you are going to attempt growing your own, it is best to harvest them when they are small as they will push through the ground when they are mature and ready.
Corn is mostly grown in the U.S with the states accounting for 40% of the world’s produce. The peak season begins at around May and lasts through to September time. Naturally, the corn has health benefits in the way of Vitamin B and the high credits of fibre, however, the vegetable is also highly starchy so shouldn’t be over-consumed. Everything is acceptable in moderation though and this beautiful veggie is best served with butter after grilling on the BBQ!
Chives are a welcome addition to many spring dishes and they harmonise perfectly with a multitude of ingredients. The freshness and way that it cuts through dishes is a celebrated aspect of the development of hearty winter meals to the lightness of spring dinners.
Animals:
Bird Song is an evident sign that the weather is growing warmer and wildlife is once again beginning to surge. The reason behind the birdsong is that spring is the ideal time for the animal to mate and therefore the male birds sing loudly and proudly to gain the attraction of a female. Another reason behind the joyous chords is that they are defending a territory… not the peaceful association that we often feel. There is a noticeable difference between the two tunes though with the territorial call sounding shorter and angrier and the mating call lasting longer as well as appearing more soft and tuned-in. Next time you hear the birds singing, see if you can notice the difference.
Bumblebees break free of their hibernation period as spring begins, therefore acting as one of the early signs of the seasonal change. The rise in temperature awakens the Queen Bee, who will have isolated alone and used fat stores throughout the winter months. From then on, they use the first opportunity to store up on pollen and wax before laying eggs and continuing their cycle.
Frogspawn records show that it is always first recognised around the month of March. The number of frogspawn that we see in our ponds can seem like an overwhelming population but statistics show that around 90% of those will be lost to predators and other causes. Around 13-16 weeks later, the tiny froglets are able to leave the ponds, around June time when summer begins to kick in.