What will the weather and summer be like in 2023? Many people orientate themselves on the ice saints.
“Before Boniface there was no summer, after Sophie there was no frost” – this is a well-known farmer’s saying that refers to the ice saints and their importance for the weather in May. The origin and importance of the ice saints are closely linked to the observation of the weather and its effects on agriculture.
The Ice Saints are a weather phenomenon that has been observed in Europe for centuries and usually occurs from May 11th to 15th. A saint of the Catholic Church was assigned to each of these five days. Although farmer’s rules are often ridiculed today, they once served as valuable guidance for farmers, farmers, and gardeners.
The ice saints, farmer’s rules and cold snaps
With the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the weather phenomena recorded in peasant rules shifted by about ten days, so that today the Ice Saints are usually not expected until around May 23rd. The peasant rule about the ice saints probably arose during a “little ice age” in Europe. Since then the climate has warmed up again and the May cold snaps have become less severe and less frequent. However, temperatures drop noticeably in May during the Ice Saints, and a fire pit can help you still enjoy spring outdoors.
Temperatures can drop extremely
As a rule, during the Ice Saints between May 11th and 15th, it can get icy cold again and ground frost can occur. Even outside of the Ice Saints, temperatures can drop extremely in May. The reference dates in the Farmer’s Rule are for guidance, but outliers from average weather, known as singularities, are possible. In addition to the Ice Saints, these singularities also include the Sheep Cold and Dormouse Day in June, Indian Summer in September and the Hot Dog Days between June 23rd and August 23rd.
In order to successfully plant the garden despite late frosts or spring frosts, planters can serve as a temporary solution before the vegetable beds are finally planted. This measure offers a certain protection against sudden frost and makes it possible to give the plants an optimal start to the growing season in the first few weeks.
