Is the myth true? Do April showers really bring May flowers?
You know the saying, 'April showers bring May flowers.' Well, it turns out that there’s some truth behind it!
April symbolizes the transition from winter’s chill to spring’s thaw across Canada, bringing some of the year’s most variable and often dreary weather, before giving way to the vibrant blooms of May.
The proverb literally refers to the natural cycle of spring, when April showers provide the necessary moisture for plants to flourish and bloom in May.
Some of the rainiest major cities in April include Abbotsford, B.C., Calgary, Alta., Toronto, Ont., and St. John's, N.L.
We can see just about every type of precipitation in the month of April, from rain to freezing rain, and even late-season snow.
Those April showers help provide the essential conditions for plant growth and reproduction.
As daylight hours grow longer, temperatures warm, and the soil begins to heat up, the increased availability of moisture and energy signals plants to grow and produce flowers.
Spring perennials bloom from mid-March to late June, with many species flowering in May and June. Crocuses are usually the first spring blooming bulbs that start to appear from late winter to early spring, even when there is snow on the ground.
Early spring bloomers, like daffodils and tulips, appear in March and April (depending on how much snow is on the ground), while later spring-bloomers, such as irises and peonies, begin to bloom in May and June.
Just because the calendar says May, it doesn’t mean you should jump into the garden right away. Since the first few weeks of May, overnight temperatures can drop below freezing and cause frost, which can damage young plants.
Many Canadian gardeners (including myself) typically wait until the May long weekend before getting their outdoor gardens underway, just to be safe and avoid any lingering risks of frost.