Little Winters

Open Sundays March 8!

If you’ve lived in Tennessee for any number of years, you have likely heard about and experienced our "little winters." These are the cold spells that are so reliable that our state’s first governor, John Sevier, even wrote about them in his journals. Depending on who you ask, some will say there are four, five, or six. Their names are Locust Winter, Redbud Winter, Dogwood Winter, Blackberry Winter, Whippoorwill Winter, and Cotton Britches Winter.

The first four make sense, but what are the last two?

The Whippoorwill is a rarely seen but often heard bird that lives on the Eastern coast. Folklore says if you hear the call, it can be an omen of bad luck or even death. In our region, it signals the penultimate cold snap of the season. Cotton Britches refers to the time of year when folks would finally put away the pants made from linen and wool blend in favor of lighter cotton. Inevitably, just as the heavy clothes are packed away, one last chilly breeze arrives to make us regret our wardrobe choices.

While these names seem like an old wives' tale, they actually reflect the phenology of our region—the study of how nature responds to seasonal changes. For instance, Dogwood Winter usually hits in late April when the blossoms are at their peak, while Blackberry Winter arrives in early May to coincide with the brambles' flowering.

It’s a good idea to get familiar with these ahead of time so you know what to expect. We all feel like the weather “tricks” us when it goes from 70 degrees down to 30, but this is all completely normal. So, before you plant those tomatoes or move your houseplants outside for the summer, take a look at the trees and listen for the birds. They usually know more about the forecast than the app on your phone!That’s it for this week, friends. Stay tuned to Gardening Inside Out Saturday mornings at 8 am. Queue up the podcast for your next road trip. Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes fun. We can’t wait to see you!

Happy Gardening,

Sara Bates