Three Frog Blooms and the False Winters of Tennessee

Reading the Seasons Through Old-Time Wisdom**

If you’ve lived in Tennessee for more than a season, you’ve likely learned one thing the hard way: don’t trust the first warm day. The sun will shine, daffodils will bloom, frogs will sing—and then, just like that, winter snaps back.

But to folks who pay attention to the land, this back-and-forth weather is nothing new. It's part of a natural rhythm, marked by old sayings and seasonal signs passed down through generations. One of the most beloved is:

“You’ll hear three frog blooms before winter’s over.”

What’s a “frog bloom”?

It’s not a bloom at all—it’s the sound of frogs calling after a warm spell. When temperatures rise early, frogs wake up and start singing, thinking it’s time for spring. But that warmth is often short-lived, and winter silences them again.

The saying reminds us: Don’t be fooled until you’ve heard frogs sing three different times. Only then is spring likely to stay.

The False Winters of Tennessee

Alongside the frog blooms, Tennessee has a whole lineup of “False Winters” that roll through just when you think the cold is behind you. These short cold snaps are named after what's blooming—or what folks are wearing—when they hit.

Here are the most well-known:

• Daffodil Winter

  • Timing: Late February to early March

  • Signs: Daffodils bloom too early, and winter reminds them who's boss.

  • Note: This is usually the first sign of false spring.

• Redbud Winter

  • Timing: Late March

  • Signs: Redbud trees bloom, then a frost or cold snap follows.

  • Why it matters: A traditional marker that winter still has some fight left.

• Dogwood Winter

  • Timing: Early to mid-April

  • Signs: Dogwoods bloom just in time for another round of chilly weather.

  • Note: Often aligned with the last hard frost for many areas.

• Locust Winter

  • Timing: Mid to late April

  • Signs: Black locust trees flower, followed by a cool snap.

  • Note: Not always mentioned, but observed in many parts of the South.

• Blackberry Winter

  • Timing: Early May

  • Signs: Blackberry brambles bloom right before a sudden chill.

  • Why it matters: Usually one of the final frosty setbacks before summer.

• Whippoorwill Winter (or Linsey-Woolsey Britches Winter)

  • Timing: Mid to late May

  • Signs: Whippoorwills start calling, and folks are still reaching for their heavier “linsey-woolsey” clothes at night.

  • Note: The old-timers knew summer hadn’t fully settled in yet.

• Cotton Britches Winter

  • Timing: Late May to early June

  • Signs: Light cotton clothes come out—just in time for one last surprising cool-down.

  • Why it matters: This is the final breath of spring before true summer heat.

Why it still matters

These patterns aren’t just charming folklore—they’re rooted in generations of observation. Before Doppler radar and weather apps, people paid close attention to frogs, flowers, and bird calls. These signals helped guide when to plant, when to prepare for cold, and when to wait.

Even today, farmers, gardeners, and folks who live close to the land still use these natural cues. Because no matter how advanced the forecast gets, nature still tells the truest time.

So next time you hear the frogs croak, count it. You’ve still got a few more false starts before spring is here for good.