Spring sprung at Christmas with the first daffodil

It’s been proven that spring is getting earlier each year and reports of early daffodils are often the first sign. 

As nature watch communities compare online notes across the country, reports are coming in of how the weather has affected the timing of the first buds.

Devon, usually known for its sunnier, gentler climes and early blooms, experienced a heavier than normal deluge of rain in December.  But despite this, Plymouth gardener Brian Rickard espied daffodils in the garden of his Plymouth home as early as 15 December.

A study three years ago by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) found that spring arrived a week and a half earlier than it did in the mid 1970s.  Its comprehensive study of plant and animal behaviour identified that daffodils can be found as early as January and swallows appear in February when it used to be March.

Well Mr Rickard has beaten even that and puts it down to living in a south facing garden in a sheltered valley.

To read his story, go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253108/The-Christmas-daffodil-Keen-gardener-discovers-spring-bloom-flower-bed-just-time-big-day.html#ixzz2GQddKINS
 

The report about the survey trends is here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7189104/Spring-is-coming-11-days-earlier-on-average.html

Author: Robert Smith