Berlin.
“Orientate yourself on the ice saints” – this old farmer’s rule still applies today. But what exactly are the ice saints?
- The days from May 11th to May 15th are referred to as “Ice Saints”.
- According to old peasant rules, the last frosty nights of spring take place during this time
- But is that actually the case? And what does that mean for gardeners? An overview
The so-called Ice Saints are name days of Christian saints in the month of May, on which the last frosty nights in spring are traditionally expected. During these nights, the temperatures often fall back into the minus range. This damages many plants on the balcony, terrace and in the garden. One speaks here of late frosts – or also spring frosts.
That’s how he describes it German weather service (DWD) those frosts that occur after the start of the growing season. This late appearance makes it so dangerous: because the plants in the garden are already sprout, stimulated by the spring sun, and some are even already flowering. Therefore, according to the DWD, late frosts can cause damage, especially in fruit, vegetable and wine growing.
When are the ice saints?
The so-called Ice Saints traditionally mark the end of the danger of late frost in Germany. Statistically, there are hardly any frosty nights after these days – but there are regional differences.
- In Northern Germany apply to Mamertus, Pankratius and Servatius (May 11-13) as ice saints
- Im south and southeast of the country, in addition to Pankratius and Servatius, Bonifatius (14. May) and the “Cold Sofia” (15. May) included
The trigger for the ice saints is a specific weather phenomenon: While it is getting warmer and warmer in Central Europe, certain weather conditions once more arctic air will flow from the north to Germany.
Ice saints bring spring frosts: what to do in the garden?
There are numerous around the ice saints pawn rules handed down: For example “Never plant before cold Sophie” or “Pankraz and Servaz are two evil brothers, what spring brought they destroy again”. And particularly nice: “Before Bonifaz no summer, after Sophie no frost”.
For hobby gardeners this means: Frost sensitive Plants, especially many types of vegetables, are best planted in the garden after the possible late frost phase. And cold-sensitive potted plantsthat have been stored indoors over the winter are only carried outside when it is warm enough.
At the latest after the ice saints, the small vegetables and flowering plants that have been grown on the windowsill can be placed in the bed and in the balcony box. In addition, for example cucumbers and other vegetables can be sown directly into the bed. All purchased, non-hardy herbs as well as dahlia bulbs and other flowering plants are planted out. And pot plants are finally coming out of winter storage.
Basically: The temperatures should be permanently above ten degrees. And if a frosty night threatens again, the greenery should be brought back into the house or wrapped up warm with fleece overnight.
More gardening tips:
Eisheilige: Are the old farming rules still correct?
In recent years there has often been no frost in May – and the ice saints in their meteorological sense have not materialized. Are the old rules still reliable at all? In fact, the pawn rules are only a rough one guidance. So these frosts can happen, but they don’t necessarily happen.
In fact it is polar air influence, which existed for a long time in mid-May, has often occurred earlier in recent years. According to the German Weather Service, this could possibly be an indication of global warming. Again and again there was the May frost. It can therefore be said: Even if the likelihood of late frosts seems to decrease in mid-May and good weather forecasts are definitely warning us of frost – it doesn’t hurt to know and heed such farmer’s rules.
Eisheilige 2023: This is the weather forecast
So far it does not look as if it will be cold again this year on the Ice Saints: According to the German Weather Service, from May 11th to 15th temperatures of up to 22 degrees expected. At night, the values drop to a minimum of 3 degrees. However, the DWD does not expect frost. However, the weather will be rather uncomfortable overall: According to the forecast, it will be cloudy in many regions of Germany. Showers can also occur.
Ice saints over – when will the sheep cold come in 2023?
Anyone who thinks that the ice saints will be the last uncomfortable one for the time being cold snap survived, has reckoned without the so-called sheep cold. In mid-June, there is usually a brief cold snap in Central Europe, which is triggered by polar air, as the DWD writes. The period for the Sheep Cold is around June 11th.
(fmg/dpa)
More articles from this category can be found here: Life
