March is the classic transition month. Accordingly, many farming rules revolve around cold relapses, wind and the question of whether spring is already “through”.
March is considered a capricious transitional month between winter and spring, in which sun, frost and storms often alternate quickly. No wonder, then, that numerous farm rules deal with cold spells, wind and the question of whether spring has really arrived yet.
Typical farmer rules in March
“If it freezes on Kunigunde, you can still feel it for forty days.” (March 3rd) The rule couples a frost day at the beginning of March with a longer cold phase.
“A wet March is the farmer’s pain.” Too much rain in March was considered bad for field work and the start of the vegetation phase.
“March dust and March wind are harbingers of a good summer.” Dry, windy March weather is seen here as a positive signal for summer.
“A cold wind for forty days, windy for another forty days.” (March 10th) A typical Lostag saying: The weather on a deadline should indicate a longer phase. wetter.de classifies these 40-day rules as not being statistically reliable.
“If it is clear on Joseph’s Day, it will save us a lot of trouble and trouble.” (March 19th) Joseph’s Day is also one of the Lost Days. Clear skies are interpreted as a good sign for the rest of the weather and the year.
What’s wrong with it and where farming rules reach their limits
The German weather service orders Peasant rules as old folk sayings. They arise from observations, are often regionally influenced and sometimes even contradict each other. Some rules have a “core of truth” in the sense of typical weather conditions. However, the exact date is rarely a reliable switch.
Farmers’ rules are particularly helpful today as a rough reminder: cold relapses are possible in March, windy phases are not unusual, and early warmth often remains fragile. Current forecasts and warnings are a better basis for concrete planning, such as gardening or travel.
Conclusion: The March Farmers’ Rules provide more of a mood picture than a weather report. As mnemonics they are charming, as predictions they are only useful as inspiration.
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