We’ve waited all winter for warmer temps and lots of sun, but hold on, as we have a few more cold snaps to go through. You’ll often hear of springtime cold snaps that last just a day or two being referred to as ‘Little Winters’. Here in Kentucky we have five, which occur about every two weeks through the spring when temperature bounces from spring-like and hinting of summer, to down-right cold, frosty, and in digging out coats and sweaters again.

Redbud Winter – This little winter happens when a chill moves in during the blooming of redbud trees. These trees bloom Mid-March to early April. Rain, hail, or snow, my grandfather always insisted that planting potatoes on a Good Friday always yielded the best crops.

Dogwood Winter – This little winter typically occurs Mid- to late April, when the dogwood trees are blooming. A heavy frost falls is not unusual during a dogwood winter.

Locust Winter – This winter occurs when leaves start to appear on locust trees in early April, but some connect Locust winter to when the trees bloom in May. 

Blackberry Winter – Blackberries are in full bloom from early to mid-May. This frost is what kills most newer plants. Be sure to cover up your most precious plants and fruit trees with a sheet.  

Whippoorwill Winter – I love to hear the song of the whippoorwills in the evenings and before dawn, and if tempts drop during this time, it’s a Whippoorwill Winter.

Cotton Britches Winter – In the past, the linsey-woolsey (linen and wool) pants worn in cold weather were put away and farmers changed to the light cotton pants of summer in late May or early June. If it got cold during this time, it was referred to as a Cotton Britches Winter.

If you are a gardener, like me, then it is always good to know your winters and don’t put away those jackets and sweaters just yet.