Do April Showers Bring May Flowers?

It's an old proverb—"April Showers Bring May Flowers"—but a lot of people seem to believe it, especially my grandma and my mom, the family gardners.

And there seems to be some truth to it, since Mom's daffodils are starting to bloom. (Five of them, to be precise.) But I don't actually remember there being a lot of rain this past April. Snow, yes, but not rain.

So I guess it makes sense that from a scientific point of view, it's not rain specifically that makes flowers bloom—it's rising temperatures and water. Any kind of water. Which could include snow melt, too.

Cool, right?

I guess my teacher also thinks it's cool, because in science class right now, we're talking about growing plants, flowers, and crops—like canola—to learn about TRANSPIRATION. You know what that is, right? It's an important part of the water cycle.

AND, it's the focus of one of my favourite books in the Superman Duffy series of graphic novels. Haven't read it? Order a copy from the Alberta Canola Producers' Commission here—it's FREE for Alberta schools and libraries.

Gotta jet! I promised Mom I'd snap a few pictures of her almost blooming tulips. Have a blooming good long weekend!

~ Chase Superman Duffy