Mother Nature’s Timetable “Purple crocuses up.” “Wild columbine
swollen with buds.” “Cabbage white eggs on collards.” “First
mosquito bite.” These are just a few notations I made in a
pocket calendar I started carrying around in 2004. I knew that
other gardeners, farmers and naturalists have long kept such
records, but didn’t realize that this type of observation had a
scientific name. Phenology, as it’s called, is the study of the
changes in plants and animals in response to seasonal cycles.
Laypeople as well as researchers contribute to the body of
knowledge. Scientists are interested in the simple observations
we make in our own yards, neighborhoods and parks throughout the
year. The National Phenology Network encourages individuals
throughout the United States to keep notes and submit data on
selected species in their area. In North Carolina, the network
monitors eastern redbud, wild strawberry, red maple and black
locust, to name a few. These valuable records provide
interesting comparisons between diffe