The Third Annual Gardenstew Phenology Study

Discussion in 'Flower Gardening' started by Jerry Sullivan, Mar 28, 2015.

  1. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Phenology 600.jpg
    Welcome to the third year of the annual GardenStew Phenology study. A study that provides us an opportunity to document climate change on a local scale, namely your garden or flower bed. You have but to look into your flower garden and tell us when an established perennial blooms. Easy!! Guess what?? Even a dandelion qualifies*. However we usually mention more exotic species. To see what people have entered here are the previous two years: 2013 entries, 2014 entries. Your entries not only establish a permanent record of when your perennials flower but they also contribute to a larger picture of perennials as climate reshapes our world.


    For thousands of years gardeners and farmers have used nature as a guide to tell them when to plant crops and vegetables or to perform seasonal tasks. An old Chinese proverb says it all: “Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men” .


    So what are some examples?


    What do a potato and a dandelion have in common? When you see the first dandelions flower, it’s time to plant your potatoes.


    In the post of Feb 27, 2011 titled “Rules of thumb that greenthumbs need to know” we find another morsel of information related to phenology. Use grub killer on your lawn BEFORE the forsythia blossoms fall.

    Guess what you plant when lilacs begin to leaf out? You get the Idea. Phenology can be used as a garden tool. This year we will delve into the world of seasonal information, information right from your garden. Information you can use.

    Questions? I am right here:), ask away

    I hope to hear from you and your perennials soon….

    Jerry

    * Yes, a dandilion qualifies, I use the same one each year, else I could not tell if it bloomed last year.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2015
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  3. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    From Toni: My first Iris 'California Gold' started blooming on March 24 this year. If you are ready for entries.

    Thank you Toni!!

    Jerry
     
  4. KK Ng

    KK Ng Hardy Maple

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    Hi Jerry, I read earlier posting too to get an idea what "Phenology study" is about and I got interested. I was wandering that most if not all studies of the data are gathered from the temperate zone (I could be wrong) and I am in the Equatorial area. So does it apply to where I am?
     
  5. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    True, phenology studies in temperate zones utilize seasonal fluctuations in temperature as the main component to obtain information about fauna and flora. That is not to say that phenological observations are not possible in equatorial areas as seasons of dry and wet periods also drive temperature variations. Bird migration as well as changes in insect populations may depend on similar temperature cycles. Phenological control of Mango flowering and fruit maturity are an examples of data acquired during equatorial temperature changes. Not coming from a tropical environment however, I lack the observational references to add to instances in your latitude. Perhaps you can shed some light on such occurrences. I would be very interested. Any plants with a large dependency in wet and/or dry seasons? Movements or habits of animals influenced by the two seasons? The more I think about this the more questions come to mind. KK, you have opened a floodgate of curiosity.

    Jerry
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2015



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  6. KK Ng

    KK Ng Hardy Maple

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    Thanks Jerry but the timing is just not right for me to do this at the moment ... maybe after I return from my life time adventure.
     
  7. TheBip

    TheBip Young Pine

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    My Hyacinths are officially in bloom :) I guess technically I noticed them beginning to open on the 30th, but now the blooms are fully open.

    Omgosh, I just noticed my anniversary passed :O
     
  8. TheBip

    TheBip Young Pine

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    Coming home from work tonight, I saw some of my Daffodils are open! Its funny, because they were closed when I left for work haha
     
  9. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Galanthus nivalis -- March 18, 2015
    Crocus 'Orange Monarch' --- Feb. 8, 2015
    Rosa 'Lady Banks' ---- April 1, 2015
    Salvia nemorosa 'May Night' ----- March 29, 2015
    Iris albacans ----- March 27, 2015
    Iris 'Bombay Eyes' ----- April 3, 2015
    Iris reticulata 'Harmony' ------ March 7, 2015
    Taraxacum officinale ----- March 15, 2015
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2015
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  10. TheBip

    TheBip Young Pine

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    Our Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) bloomed sometime over the weekend. I wasnt home all weekend so Im not sure which day it actually was o.o
     
  11. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Today is April 6, 2015 and all of these perennials opened first blooms this morning or overnight.....
    Iris x hollandica 'Blue Magic'
    Rosa 'Oklahoma'
    Rose 'Mr. Lincoln'
    Rose 'Radsunny'

    Forgot to add....
    Tradescantia occidentalis
    Hyacinthoides hispanica
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2015
  12. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Today, April 8, 2015.....

    Clematis 'H.F. Young'
    Rosa 'Red Freedom'

    Jerry, just got the May/June 2015 issue of Urban Farm magazine.....I know I am not a farmer but I am an Urban and I like the magazine :D Anyway, they have a multi-page article about Phenology. I can't find the article on their website urbanfarmonline.com but maybe you can find a copy.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2015
  13. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Thank you Toni for the heads up. If it's out there I have a good chance of finding it.

    Jerry
     
  14. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    April 9, 2015

    Rosa 'Julia Child'
    Salvia pratensis 'Rhapsody in Blue'
    Rosa 'Blue Girl'
     
  15. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    This year the Phenology study will feature a newsletter with useful gardening information, ongoing study data and surveys from around the world.

    Here is the newsletter for April: Newsletter

    Phenology(April).jpg

    Jerry
     
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  16. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    Great idea Jerry! The lilac observation tips were especially good.
     

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