When oak leaves are the size of a squirrels ear...

I've done some of this.. but didn't realize it had it own name and field of study till today. What it is is paying attention to natural cues for planting times in the garden. It's pretty neat actually.

Now that I know what it's called, figured it would be good to put a heap of it together in one handy post :)

http://gardening.about.com/od/organicgardenin1/a/Phenology.htm

Phenology Clues

Plant peas	When forsythia & daffodils blooms
Plant potatoes	When 1st dandelion blooms
	When the shadbush flowers
Plant beets, carrots, cole crops, lettuce and spinach	When lilac is in first leaf
Plant beans, cucs and squash	When lilac is in full bloom
Plant tomatoes	When lily-of-the-valley are in full bloom
Transplant eggplant, melon and peppers	When irises bloom
Plant corn	When apple blossoms start to fall
Seed fall cabbage and broccoli	When catalpas and mockoranges bloom
Seed morning glories	When maple leaves reach full size
Plant cool season flowers (pansies, snapdragons...)	When aspen and chokecherry trees leaf out
Watch for:
Eastern tent caterpillars to hatch	When crab apples start to bloom
Gypsy moths hatch	When the shadbush flowers
Squash vine borer eggs are laid	When chicory flowers
Mexican bean beetle larvae hatch	When foxglove flowers open.
Japanese beetles arrive	When morning glory vines start to climb

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http://fifthseasongardening.com/phenology-gardening-by-natures-indicators

Plant Phenology

Prune Roses & Fertilize Lawns – when yellow Forsythia and Crocus start blooming
Plant Pansies, Snapdragons, and other hardy annuals – after the Aspens and Chokecherries leaf out
Plant Peas – when Daffodils or Forsythia begins to bloom
Plant Lettuce, Peas, and other cool weather crops – when Lilacs have leafed out
Plant Beans and Squash – when Lilacs are in full bloom
Plant Cucumbers – when Lilac flowers have faded
Plant Tomatoes, Early Corn, and Peppers – when Apple Blossoms begin to fall and Flowering Dogwoods are in peak and when Daylilies start to bloom
Plant Peppers and Eggplants outside – when Bearded Iris are in bloom
Plant Beets, Lettuce, Spinach, and Carrots – when Dandelions are blooming
Plant Potatoes – when serviceberry or Juneberries flower
Sow Cabbage and Broccoli seeds – when catalpa and mock oranges bloom
If Daisies appear – there is no Calcium near

For Morel Mushroom Lovers

Look for Morels about the same time that Redbuds and Spicebush begin to bloom, around March or April. When the Dogwoods finish blooming, Morel season is over.

Insect Phenology

Grasshopper Eggs hatch – around the time purple Lilacs bloom
Eastern Tent Caterpillar eggs hatch – when the buds of Crabapples and Wild Plums open
Mexican Bean Beetle larvae appear – when Foxglove flowers open
Squash Vine Borers appear – when Chicory is in flower

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http://www.harvesttotable.com/2013/03/vegetable-crop-planting-and-phenology/

• Beans: Plant beans when lilac is in full bloom, also cucumber seeds and squash seeds.
• Beets: Plant beets when lilac is in first leaf and dandelions are in bloom, also carrots, cabbage family crops, lettuce, and spinach.
• Broccoli: Plant broccoli when lilacs first begin to leaf out and dandelions are in bloom.
• Brussels sprouts: Plant Brussels sprouts when lilacs first begin to leaf out and dandelions are in bloom.
• Cabbage: Plant cabbage and cabbage family crops (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards) when lilacs first begin to leaf out and dandelions are in bloom, also beets, carrots, lettuce, and spinach.
• Cabbage for spring: Plant spring cabbage in fall when mock orange is in full bloom
• Carrots: Plant carrots when lilac is in first leaf and dandelions are in bloom, also beets, cabbage family crops, lettuce and spinach.
• Collards: Plant collards when lilacs first begin to leaf out and dandelions are in bloom.
• Corn: Plant corn when apple blossoms begin to fall and when oak leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear.
• Cucumber: Plant cucumber seeds when lilac is in full bloom and when the blooms just start to fade, also bean seeds and squash seeds.
• Eggplant: Transplant eggplant irises bloom and daylilies start to bloom, also melons and peppers.
• Hardy, cool-season spring crops: plant hardy crops when plum and peach trees are in full bloom.
• Lettuce: Plant carrots when lilac is in first leaf and dandelions are in bloom, also beets, carrots, cabbage family crops, and spinach.
• Melons: Transplant melons when irises bloom and daylilies start to bloom, also eggplant and peppers.
• Peas: Plant peas when daffodils and forsythia are in full bloom.
• Peppers: Transplant peppers when irises bloom and daylilies start to bloom, also eggplant and melons.
• Potatoes: Plant potatoes when the first dandelions bloom.
• Spinach: Plant spinach when lilac is in first leaf and dandelions are in bloom, also beets, cabbage family crops, carrots, and lettuce.
• Squash: Plant squash seeds when lilac is in full bloom and just as the blooms fade, also bean seeds and cucumber seeds.
• Tender, warm-season summer crops: Plant tender crops when you see new growth on grapes
• Tomatoes: Plant tomatoes when daylilies start to bloom or lily-of-the-valley plants are in full bloom or flowering dogwood are in bloom.

Vegetable Garden Pests Phenology:

• Apple maggot moths are at their peak when Canada thistle blooms; protect apple fruits.
• Mexican bean beetle larvae appear when foxglove flowers open.
• Cabbage root maggots are active when wild rocket blooms.
• Japanese beetles arrive when morning glory vines begin to climb.
• Squash vine borers are at their peak when chicory blooms; protect pumpkin plants.
• Tent caterpillars are hatching when crabapple trees are in bud; begin caterpillar controls.

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http://www.gardeningthehudsonvalley.com/phenology-in-the-garden-chart/
Just an additional chart that lists most of the above. 

A really good article out of the Wisconsin master gardeners program. Has some interesting other correlations scattered in the text. http://wimastergardener.org/article/phenology-and-gardening/

And a huge master list of all the states that have phenology programs and their various datas: https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/viewhtml.php?id=44