Farmer's rules in May serve many hobby gardeners as orientation for the garden. Because the weather rules are based on the experience of centuries. In May they mark the transition between spring and summer.

In a nutshell

  • Weather rules partly only applicable regionally
  • sometimes with contrasting content
  • best-known peasant rule in May for the ice saints

pawn rules

Farming rules are many centuries old. They are based on observation of the weather. They have a certain generality. However, since they originated regionally, they often refer to a specific place and the climatic conditions prevailing there. This leads to the fact that there are also opposing weather rules. Whether the rules still apply today is controversial. Nevertheless, many hobby gardeners use it as a guide. Because the merry month is also about protecting cold-sensitive plants.

Farming and Weather Rules

The most well-known weather rule is that of the ice saints. But she is far from the only one. Because in the merry month there is a farmer's rule for almost every day. There are also lottery days and weather rules that apply for the entire month. In terms of content, the rules give

  • “Tips” on planting time
  • "Forecasts" for the upcoming summer, weather and harvest and

describe the change to summer. They also warn of cold snaps.

Peasant Rules for May

Rain and cool weather

Behind these peasant rules in May stands,

  • the hope of rain and
  • "cool" weather.

Because in the merry month this is necessary so that the harvest in summer is plentiful. "Rain" does not mean short showers, but rather a typical downpour that lasts for several hours. It has to rain repeatedly for days so that the plants can develop well. The term "cool" is directed against (high) heat that damages seeds and plants. Therefore, "chilly" can be translated as mild weather.

Examples are:

  • "If May is cool and wet, it fills the farmer's barn and barrel."
  • "May rain on the seeds, then it rains ducats."
  • "A cool May is appreciated, has always brought a good year."
  • "Wet May brings a fruitful year, drier makes it arid indeed."
  • "If May is really hot and dry, the farmer gets small chunks, but if it's damp and cool, then there's a lot of fruit and fodder."
  • "May rain brings bread and hay for the whole year."
  • "May month dry and warm makes the farmer poor."
  • "May rain, mild and warm, does not harm the fruit."

north winds

  • "North wind in May brings drought."

This weather rule relates to airflow. If it comes from the north, it usually brings dry air masses. Since the first high pressure areas can last for several days in the merry month, they also determine the wind direction. The thermometer climbs to 15 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day. At night it drops to 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, which is why it often freezes slightly.

thunderstorm

How thunderstorms affect the harvest is described differently in the farmer's rules. There are both positive and negative statements about this:

  • "Thunder and frost in the blissful moon, toil and work are little worth it."
  • "May the year be fruitful if there's a lot of thunder in May."
  • "Lots of thunderstorms in May, the farmer Juchei sings."
  • "Thunderstorms in May bring fruit."

Peasant rules for the ice saints

The so-called ice saints refer to days of remembrance for various saints. The legends of the saints have nothing to do with "ice", i.e. cold and frost. The name derives from the weather. Because between the 12th and 15.05. the last night frosts often occur, which can cause considerable damage to plants. The probability of ground frost at the beginning of the month is 30 percent and after the ice saints it is only five percent.

Notice: Since typical weather during the Ice Saints includes frost, cool and unsettled but frost-free weather is not strictly speaking Ice Saints.

How many ice saints there are varies from region to region. In northern Germany there are five (beginning with Mamertus), in the south there are four (beginning with Pankratius):

  • Mamertus (11.05.)
  • Pancratius (12.05.)
  • Servatius (13.05.)
  • Boniface (14.05.)
  • Sophie / Sophia (15.05.)

The memorial days of these saints are today in the middle of the month. Originally, however, they were to be found later in the calendar. Therefore, strictly speaking, these peasant rules only apply ten days after the commemoration day of the respective ice saint. Known weather rules are:

  • "Before Boniface there was no summer, after Sophie there was no frost."
  • "You're never safe from Night Frost until Sophie's gone."
  • "Cold Sophie, she is called, because she often comes running with cold."
  • "Often Sophie brought frost and killed some plants."
  • "When the ice saints pass by without frost, the farmers and winegrowers shout cheers."

Notice: There are also specific peasant rules for the other ice saints who, like those for Sophie, warn of cold and frost.

Whether the ice saints come or not depends on the weather conditions. "Ingredients" are:

  • dry polar air
  • a clear sky at night
  • a weakened wind

If these criteria come together, it will still be very cold in the early morning and the ground will freeze. It is therefore advisable to plant frost-sensitive plants only after the ice saints. Potted plants should be placed outside in a sheltered spot or brought inside during the night.

Farmer rules for individual days

Walburga (01.05.)

The 01.05. is one of those days when hopes diverge. So at Walburga it is hoped for either rain or sunshine. Pawn rules for rain are:

  • "May 1st, frosty or wet, always fun for the farmers."
  • "If it rains on the first day of May, many fruits can be expected."

For example, a pawn rule that hopes for sun is:

  • "If the sun is good on May 1st, there will be plenty of grain and good hay."

Florian (May 4th) and Gordian (May 10th)

Before the ice saints, the weather rules for Florian and Gordian warn of damage:

  • "The Florian, the Florian, can still wear a snow hat."
  • "The Gordian, the Gordian, he often causes damage."

St. Urban (25.05.)

For the 25.05. are two pawn rules.

  • "St. Urban will finish off the cold if Servatius (Ice Saint) has anything left.”

This farmer's rule says how long night frosts can still be expected. Because in unfavorable locations cold air can occur until the end of the month.

  • "How's the weather on St. Urban's Day, as it may well be in autumn."

In this weather rule, the 25.05. as a key date for an outlook on the autumn weather. Although there is no direct connection between the weather in May and the weather in autumn, the weather statistics show a high probability of a sunny autumn if the sun shone frequently during the merry month. For example, autumn is sunny above average three out of five years when there are many hours of sunshine in St. Urban. If this is not the case, the duration of sunshine in autumn is below average in three out of four years.

frequently asked Questions

Do the weather rules also apply to Austria?

The farmer's rules in May also apply to Austria. However, it should be noted with every weather rule that it does not necessarily apply to all regions. But the ice saints are also widespread in Austria.

Do I have to follow every pawn rule?

"Must" is out of the question here. Of course, it is up to you whether you observe one or the other weather rule. However, many nurseries also recommend planting frost-sensitive plants from the second half of May, which in turn corresponds to many a farmer's rule.

Has climate change already overtaken the farmer's rules in May?

This question cannot be answered unequivocally. The warning of various weather rules against a dry spring that is too hot, for example, speaks in favor of the farmer's rules. It remains to be seen how late frosts will look like in the future.

Category:

Garden maintenance