Snowdrop season: First sign of spring

January officially marks the start of snowdrop season, and depending on your location and the weather, they may already be flowering right under your nose!

Between January and March, snowdrops begin to cover our gardens, woodlands, and fields. A welcome sight that to brighten our dull winter days, and indicate that spring is near.

The flower, though delicate in appearance, has a hard tip bud that allows it to push through the cold, frozen ground in winter. Their sap also contains something to protect against frost.

February 1st marks Saint Brigid's Day in Ireland, a Gaelic traditional festival marking the beginning of spring, as the mid-point between the winter solstice and spring equinox.

Milder winters over more recent years have meant that snowdrops have bloomed earlier in the year. Snowdrops have been spotted as early as the start of January, when they were once tied to late-February.

Have you seen any yet? Send them in to our uploader to share if you have!