it's phenology

I learned years ago that when the forsythia blooms, it's safe to plant out my lettuces and other spring leafy greens. Now I've learned the word for that- watching the plant progression around me to mark the pace of the seasons. Phenology. And I learned a new local marker- when the lilac is in full bloom, it's time to start my last batch of seeds, that need to wait for dependable warmth- the beans, cucumbers, zucchini, melons, etc. My lilac is budding. Soon we'll hit the last frost date and I'll start moving all my waiting plants into their places in the garden and perennial beds- and then finally, plant those beans, cukes and zucchini.