How We Predict the Peak Bloom Date of the
Cherry Blossoms in Wooster Square
Welcome to the 12th year of the Wooster Square Blossom Blog, where we have been predicting the peak bloom dates of the cherry blossoms with amazing accuracy for 11 years in a row!* In this post, we will share with you our secret method of estimating the peak bloom date, based on historical data, scientific observations and common blossom scense. We will also tell you why the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is not always aligned with the peak bloom date, and how you can enjoy the best show of flowers in our lovely neighborhood.
How We Track the Progress of the Cherry Trees
We have been tracking the progress of the cherry trees since 2009, and we have recorded the dates of each stage of their development, from green buds to peak bloom. I pieced it together with help of the Blossom Blog Ai mainframe and my photos very painstakingly after last April's peak bloom.
We use the same criteria as the Washington DC Blossom Watch to define each stage, which are:
- Green Buds: The buds are green and swollen, but no pink or white petals are visible yet.
- Florets Visible: The buds start to open and show small clusters of pink or white florets.
- Extension of Florets: The florets become more visible and extend from the buds.
- Peduncle Elongation: The stems that connect the florets to the branches (called peduncles) start to grow longer and create more space between the florets.
- Puffy White: The florets become larger and rounder, creating a puffy white appearance.
- Peak Bloom: At least 70% of the blossoms are open and at their fullest.
We take daily photos and notes of the cherry trees and update our blog and Facebook page with their status. We also compare our observations with other sources, such as weather reports, satellite images, and local experts (me).
How We Calculate the Average Number of Days Between
Each Stage and the Peak Bloom Date
Using our historical data, we can calculate the average number of days between each stage and the peak bloom date. For example, on average, it takes 24 days from the appearance of green buds to the peak bloom. Of course, this is not a precise prediction, but it gives us a rough idea of when to expect the best show of flowers.
Here are our average calculations for each stage:
- Green Buds: 24 days
- Florets Visible: 16 days
- Extension of Florets: 11 days
- Peduncle Elongation: 6 days
- Puffy White: 4 days
We take into account other factors that might affect the cherry blossom season, such as temperature, rainfall, and sunlight. That's why every year is different, and we can never be sure when the peak bloom will occur. Even the National Park Service admits they're hard to predict even within 10 days.
How We Update You on Our Predictions and Reports
We are very proud of our track record and we are always looking for ways to improve our accuracy and reliability. That's why we update you regularly on our predictions and reports through our blog and Facebook page. You can follow us for daily photos and information on the cherry blossom status. You can also leave comments or questions for us, and we will try to answer them as soon as possible.
We also invite you to share your own photos and experiences of the cherry blossoms in Wooster Square. You can tag us on Facebook or use the hashtag #WoosterSquareBlossomWatch on Instagram or Twitter. We love to see your beautiful pictures and hear your stories! We also love photos at restaurants in Wooster Square, so feel free to sent them to bartszczarba@gmail.com.
How You Can Enjoy the Cherry Blossom
Season in Wooster Square.
But just predicting the peak bloom date is not enough. You have to be among them. Breathe them in, become one with the blossoms. Only then will they whisper a Hanami Haiku to those with a special Blossom awareness, say like a Blossom Blogger, more specifically the "Wooster Square Blossom Blogger"! National Geographic likened my predictions of when the cherry blossoms bloom as a kind of "Blossom Whisperer".
And don't forget to join us for the annual Cherry Blossom Celebration in April, where you can enjoy music, food, art, and culture in our lovely community. The festival is a celebration of Wooster Square's history as well as its natural beauty. The Celebration is one of the most fun events of the year in New Haven, and you don't want to miss it! Last year about 10,000 people showed up!
The festival date, usually announced in advance, is not always aligned with the peak bloom date. That's because the festival takes a lot of effort to organize, and we have to pick a date that is not conflicting with other events or holidays. Sometimes we get lucky and the festival coincides with the peak bloom, but sometimes we don't. But that's okay, because the cherry blossoms are beautiful at any stage, and there is always something to enjoy in Wooster Square. Like pizza and pasta.
While I confer with the blog Ai, take a look at some photos from the Square and New Haven from the last couple of weeks. When you get to the end, you'll know when to book that AirBnB or hotel!
CAUTION: Looking at photos of Historic Wooster Square may bring on spurts of giddiness, wide smiles and stomachs to ache for pizza, pasta and pastries!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Cure to Hsv-1&2, Robinsonbuckler11@[gmail.com]
ReplyDelete