SPRING 2022. The spring season started this Sunday March 20 and will run until summer. What is the Equinox? What to eat in spring and what are the characteristics of this spring season?
What are the spring dates?
Spring began this Sunday, March 20, 2022 and ends on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, giving way to summer, one of the other four seasons of the year. While the end of spring always falls on June 21, the first day of spring can vary between March 19, 20 and 21. In 2023, the spring season will also start on March 20. These are therefore during the months of March (partly), April, May and June (partially), three months in total, that we are in the spring.
What is the spring equinox?
The spring equinox took place on March 20 at 4:33 p.m. The term equinox comes from the Latin “æquinoctium” which means “equal night”. Indeed, the equinox corresponds to the time of the year, when the day and the night are of identical duration due to the perfect alignment of the equator of the Earth with the sun. We also speak of the equinox at the beginning of autumn since the equinox occurs twice a year.
What are the characteristics of spring?
In spring, the short days of winter give way to longer days (and shorter nights). Temperatures are also rising and you can enjoy beautiful sunny days. But the main characteristic of spring is nature taking back its rights. Besides, the prefix “prin” of spring comes from old French and means “beginning, beginning”… so “time”. The flowers are budding and the trees are getting their leaves back. The most emblematic tree of the season? The cherry tree, of course. As for plants, dandelions, daisies and violets bloom in parks and gardens. And for the show to be complete, the birds sing! And for good reason, after migrating to warm countries all winter, they are whistling their return. Similarly, spring marks the end of hibernation giving way to the mating season for animals, it is during this period that mating takes place.
What are the signs of spring?
In addition to referring to the calendar, observing nature, we can notice the first signs of spring:
- The appearance of snowdrops. If you see snowdrops, those pretty little white flowers, you know that spring will soon be on its way. Indeed, they are among the first flowers to appear between the end of February and the beginning of March.
- Blooming crocuses. Behind this funny name hide superb flowers sometimes yellow, lilac blue or white. Crocuses also come in different forms depending on their variety. As for their flowering, it begins between the end of February and the beginning of March.
- The arrival of the kittens. At the beginning of March, the first kittens (also called “discolored willows”) also begin to bud. Catkins are leafy shrubs with green, oval leaves. They were so named because of their flowers forming soft kittens, reborn each spring.
What to eat in spring?
The seasonal fruits and vegetables are always to be preferred, and in the spring, we have the choice with fresh foods, full of vitamins to fill up on energy. Here are our spring recipes to cook without moderation for the whole family.
Our tips for staying healthy in the spring
The arrival of spring is an opportunity to boost your immune system by consuming the right products and eating a balanced diet. This is the time, for example, to cook asparagus, rhubarb or cherries to fill up on vitamins. Allergy to pollens and hay fever, fatigue… Find all our health advice to start the spring season in great shape!
What DIY activities around spring?
Find all our activity ideas for children around the spring season. Flowers, bees and butterflies are in the spotlight at this time of year.
What are the dates for spring break?
Here are the dates of spring break according to your geographical area:
- Area A (Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, Poitiers): From Saturday April 16, 2022 to Monday May 2, 2022.
- B-area (Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Caen, Lille, Nancy-Metz, Nantes, Nice, Orléans-Tours, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Strasbourg): From Saturday April 9, 2022 to Monday April 25, 2022.
- C-zone (Paris, Créteil, Versailles, Montpellier, Toulouse): From Saturday April 23, 2022 to Monday May 9, 2022.
Please note that school resumes on the indicated Monday.