Spring is in the air!

March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. But what comes to your mind when you think of March? You might say “Srping” when the weather gradually becomes warmer and brings gentle south breeze.

 

 

Can you answer the following questions about Spring?

    1.   Does Spring begin on March 1 or on the Equinox?

 

    2.   Are day and night equal on the vernal Equinox?

 

    3.   According to folklore, you can stand a raw egg on its end on the Equinox. Is this true?

 

    4.   Which day has the most sunlight in North America?

 

    5.   The March Full Moon is called _____________ Moon, because ___________ and grubs are reappearing in this month.

 

    6.   Did you know that the increasing sunlight inspires _____________ to sing? Just like Karen Carpenter sings, I wonder why _____________ suddenly appear every time Spring is near!

 

    7.   Trees, shrubs, and flowers are sensitive to temperature and day length, too. Since ancient days, people have used natural events as indicators of when the weather is right for ___________________. For example, blooming crocuses are your cue to _____________ radishes, parsnips, and spinach.

 

Answer Keys

    1.  Both. The answer depends on your definitions of “Spring”. Both dates are accurate; they’re just from different perspectives. Astronomically speaking, the first day of Spring is marked by the Spring Equinox, which falls on March 19, 20, or 21 every year. This date only signals spring’s beginning in the Northern Hemisphere; it announces fall’s arrival in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

2. Meteorologically speaking, the official first day of spring is March 1 and the last day is May 31, which is based on the annual temperature cycles rather than on the position of Earth in relation to the Sun.

 

3.  No, but they are quite close to equal. In reality, day and night are not exactly equal on the Equinox for two reasons: First, daytime begins the moment any part of the Sun appears over the horizon and is not finished until the last part of the Sun disappears below the horizon.

 

    4.  As with most folklore, it’s only partly true. You should be able to balance an egg on its end on the equinox, but it’s possible to balance an egg on other days, too. Try this yourself and let me know what happens. (Tip: You’ll probably have better luck balancing an egg if you try it on a rough surface or use an egg that has a bumpy end.)

 

    5.  The date of the longest day, called Summer Solstice – from June 20 to 22 – gets the most daylight.

 

    6.  Worm Moon

 

    7.  birds

 

    8.  planting, plant