Spring may have been “official” on March 20th, but a well-seasoned Michigander knows that spring is not really here until mother nature tells us so! Here are 5 ways for you to remember how to tell when spring is “official” here in Alpena…

3 pretty Robin eggs; photo courtesy of Nikki Geno

  1. All the blooms! The oak and maple trees are budding and sprouting new leaves to shade us from the summer sun and dandelions are making their first appearances, dotting our lawns in pretty yellows. (Don’t pick those “weeds” just yet! Dandelions, although mediocre in comparison to other pollen plants are an excellent food source for honey bees in early spring).
  2. All 4 seasons have literally happened within 1 month…or maybe even a week. A little snow, some rain, a few warm days, and a dash of blustery ones too, equals the Michigan spring! This is just mother nature’s way of keeping us on our toes.
  3. Outdoor seating for the win- Our local restaurants open up their patios and back decks for some fresh air and good eats. Check out our blog, Your Summertime Guide to Outdoor Dining in Alpena for a list of restaurants with outdoor seating options.
  4. The Alpena Farmers Market goes back outdoors- You can now buy local produce and home-baked goods outside at Mich-e-ke-wis every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.
  5. All the babies! Baby birds chirp from their nests in the trees and fuzzy baby goslings wobble around the shores of the Thunder Bay River. You know it is spring (and maybe time to slow down) when the geese honk and hiss at your driving!

There you have it, the 5 first signs of spring in Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes. How can you tell when it’s officially spring in your backyard?

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