Readers Respond: What Are the First Signs of Spring in Your Region?

Responses: 85

By David Beaulieu, About.com Guide

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Here in west Texas, when the mesquite trees first leaf out is a reliable sign that springtime is finally here!
—Guest Ron Knight

The first thing I usually look for in spring after the snow melts are the points of my spring bulbs breaking the soil. Next I look forward to seeing all the white Trillium in the woods.
—riverwmn

The birds in the morning, making a lovely racket and the peepers at night, sad but they remind me of when my Dad passed. He loved spring, and St. Patrick's Day was always his favorite day (him being Irish and all that). He would plant his potato starters......we never really had any potatoes to boast about but who cares?
—Guest Karen

We live in southern Georgia and so the first thing I look for are the robins. When I see them, I know it's time for the daffodils to open up. The next sign is the beautiful hummingbirds. I look forward to these signs every year and can't wait to get in my gardens. I hate winter. I'm a spring and summer girl; like to have my hands in the dirt. LoL
—Guest Linda Lovett

In southern Louisiana, we anxiously await the buds on our pecan trees as a sure sign that Spring is here. They are always the last to appear.
—Guest Twink

Daffodils blooming means spring is near. Then all-of-a-sudden, you realize it's finally light in the morning! Love springtime!!!
—Guest Debbie

In our area, we look for pecan trees leafing out. That's a sure sign that the cold is no more, and that spring is here, according to my grandfather.
—Guest Grace

In this area, the first sign of spring is when we notice that the local buckeye trees are starting to grow leaves. The second sign is when we notice that this year's daffodils are breaking through the soil. By mid-March, people's yards are sprayed with daffodil blooms. Hills and Fields are turning green and the water runoff is filling the creeks and streams. Robins are back and all the birds are now thinking about building a nest. They're all inspecting all my birdhouses trying to decide which one they'll occupy this year.
—Guest Dan V.

What about the hummingbirds - in Washington State they arrive in March, here in Colorado it's April - wonderful little people just buzzing around looking for a chance meal of sugar from those early flowers or a fill up of from someone's feeder.
—Guest Dan Lewis

I love spring, when the cardinals are singing. A walk around my yard provides me with the first colors from the crocus, with the tulips and daffodils peeping through the dirt. The buds are on my peony tree. My lenten rose and my cyclamen are also showing vigorous growth. This is my favorite time of year!
—Guest carriekeck1502

My Japanese maple trees are leafing out and I'm seeing a flower bud or two on my peony trees.
—Guest Lina

I can't wait to see those daffodil shoots. Had tried to grow snowdrops in Atlanta as that really is a sign for me but they don't grow well here. I come from England.
—Guest barbara phillips

Tulip bulbs, daylillies and iris are coming up. Robins were in the yard last week. And the crows are being very noisy. The birds are chattering.
—Guest tootsieroll60

I'm in northern Illinois, near Lake Michigan. Yes, the glorioius song of the cardinals but also the slight red blush on the elm trees as the buds begin to swell and cast fuller shadows on the snow - when there's enough sun, that is.
—Guest Mary Moring

when I see robins, and tulips forcing their way through the frozen ground, and the squirrels running around having fun.
—Guest luvlove7

David Beaulieu
Landscaping Guide