East Tennessee has some interesting colloquialisms. daffodils are “Jonquils,” forsythias are “yellow bushes,” and definitely don’t plant your tomatoes before “blackberry winter!”
If you’ve got any family connections to East Tennessee, you’ve probably heard the old timers talk about “blackberry winter,” “redbud winter,” “dogwood winter” – While this may seem like a funny East Tennessee folk tradition, there is a lot of simple wisdom and practical application behind the “Little Winters.”
The History of “The Little Winters”
North America is notoriously erratic in spring warming – The large continental mass extending up to the arctic circle means that cold air outbreaks can bring frosts and freezes well into April and May. Warm, sunny days for a week or two can be suddenly interrupted with a cutting freeze – Even now, with modern forecasting, it’s not always easy to predict when these freezes will happen.
Settlers in Tennessee didn’t have the National Weather Service to rely on – Instead, they had to rely on the natural phenology cues.
Phenology: The study of how seasonal changes like temperature and daylight affect the timing of natural events such as flowering, leaf-out, and insect activity
Years of observing and notetaking revealed some patterns with the spring warm up – Redbud is one of the first trees to bloom in the Spring, and there’s often a hard freeze right around the time they bloom. Dogwoods follow a little later in mid to late April, and there’s often a frost or freeze around that time. Blackberries blossom in Late April to Early May, and sure enough, there is often a dip in temperature around that time.
Observing the timing of the native trees and shrubs along with the false starts and cold spells, “The Little Winters” became the cues for when to plant spring crops.
The “Little Winters” are Useful Beyond Tennessee!
My Mom’s side of the family is from East Tennessee so I’ve always heard about the Little Winters. Interestingly enough, I’ve found that these same “little winters” apply here in Indiana – The redbuds are just coming into bloom in later March here, and sure enough, it dropped down to 23 degrees last night. It’s meant to be in the 70s again next week, but I know there’s still a chance for frost.
The “Little Winters” Full List:
- Redbud Winter:
The first of the “Little Winters,” usually in late March to early April. There’ll usually be a hard freeze around this time, after which it’s safe to plant out hardy crops like peas, lettuce, and radishes. - Dogwood Winter:
Mid- to Late-April. There’ll often be a frost or light freeze around this time. I usually wait until after Dogwood Winter to plant cool-tolerant but slightly less frost tolerant crops like onions, beets and carrots. - Locust Winter:
This one is a little bit conflicting. Some people say this is when the leaves start to appear on black locust trees in early to mid April, others when the trees bloom in May. I often don’t pay attention to or notice this winter. - Blackberry Winter:
Early to Mid May here in Indiana. This often coincides with the average last frost date – Once Blackberry Winter passes I’ll plant peppers and tomatoes. - Whippoorwill Winter:
Mid to Late May when the whippoorwills first start calling after dusk and before dawn. I don’t usually notice this one here in Indiana. - Britches Winter:
The last little dip of cool weather in late May to early June, after which you can put away your “winter britches,” or warm clothes! Once “Britches Winter” passes it’s safe to plant warm-loving crops like cucumbers, zucchini, and winter squash, that will sulk even if it drops into the 40s.