March in Vermont can go two ways. It can either be another month of winter or it can be a beautiful and early spring. Luckily, this year it is looking like the latter is true which isn't always the case. Although the first day of spring isn't until March 20th, we here in Vermont get started with spring as soon as it's warm enough to shed our winter boots and jackets. Unsure if it's really spring in Vermont? Here are ten tell-tale signs that the green mountain state is done with winter.
1. Chirping Birds
An important trademark of a spring morning in Vermont is the chirping of birds. After the silence of winter, the squawking of geese and crows and the singing of the songbirds are welcome. Their erratic melodies might wake you up at daybreak but at least you will get to make the most of the wonderful spring day ahead of you.
2. Shorts and Flip Flops
Even though it's only 40 to 50 degrees in Vermont, this is warm enough to warrant breaking out all the summer clothes. On the first warm day, teenagers all over Vermont will be walking around in shorts and Birkenstocks even in the cold rain because Vermonters are basically impervious to cold and are very stubborn.
3. Bugs
Spring also means the spawning of bugs in Vermont. From flies and bees to endless numbers of ladybugs, the buzzing will let you know that warm weather is here to stay and so are the bugs. Before you know it the mosquitoes and gnats will be swarming you every time you go outside.
4. Getting Ready for Turkey Season
In case you didn't know, hunting is a pretty big deal in Vermont and turkey season starts in May. So as the snow melts hunters all over are getting out their camo and practicing their turkey calls and cleaning their guns and bows. All so that they can sit and walk around the woods for hours.
5. Putting Away Winter Clothes
Just as we break out our shorts early, we also pack away our much-loved flannels and sweaters when spring time comes. We do this bittersweetly and while praying that a late season snow storm doesn't come and make us dig everything back out. But we do it anyways because Vermonters are risk takers and hopeful.
6. Changing Snow Tires
After months of struggling to drive through snowy roads, all Vermonters are ready to shed their snow tires and snow chains and get back to the smooth sailing of summer. Although it might be a pain to get your tires changed or figure out how snow chains even work, getting it done is just another satisfying task that marks the start of spring.
7. Snowmobiles to Four-wheelers
With our lack of snow this past winter many probably didn't even get their snowmobiles out but those who did now have to pack the machines up and prep their four-wheelers. Of course, you could try using your snowmobile in the spring but I don't think a machine designed to work on snow will really do too well in the mud. So if you see snowmobiles being tucked into garages and four-wheelers being taken out and cleaned you know it's time to start your own spring cleaning.
8. Planting
Obviously, one of the most important spring tasks in Vermont that you will see is planting. If you are driving down roads in Vermont and smell manure and see tractors or women working in their gardens that's when you know it's really spring. Yes, that's right, in Vermont the stench of manure is what makes us smile and think of spring.
9. Mud
In Vermont spring is synonymous with mud season and thus, you can tell it's spring when every car you see is covered in dry mud. As the snow melts, the dirt roads covering Vermont turn into soupy messes that make every trip to the grocery store an adventure. You just might also see some less experienced drivers sunk into ditches and in true Vermont spirit, you should help pull them out.
10. Sugaring
Lastly and most importantly, a sure sign of spring in Vermont is maple sugaring. If you drive by trees tied together by blue tubing or just covered in tin cans or see houses with steam pouring out of the top then its sugaring season in Vermont and its time for you to hang up your skis and get ready for spring.
If you see at least 2-4 of these signs in Vermont then congratulations its officially spring and you can retire your fur-lined boots and scarves and jackets and pull out raincoats and muck boots instead. Becuase the only thing harder than a Vermont winter is a long muddy spring.
