‘Icy Saints’ bring frosts

The “Icy Saints” are just around the corner.

This means people should wait to put geraniums and other sensitive flowers outdoors because night frosts still occur. The icy saints days bring night frosts Tuesday through May 15.

In earlier times, fires were lit to protect gardens, fields and vineyards from the frost. The smoke fog was supposed to cover blossoms and sprouts.

Yearlong observances by meteorologists prove of late cold snaps. Usually, the icy saints days come May 11 through 15. They are not always reliable, but are 60 percent accurate. The icy saints days are named by their patrons, who were bishops or martyrs in the fourth and fifth centuries. May 11 is St. Mamertus, May 12 is St. Pankratius, May 13 is St. Servatius, May 14 is St. Bonifatius and May 15 is St. Sophie, who also is called by her nickname “cold Sophie.”

Farmers and gardeners in Northern Germany are mostly afraid of the icy saints ruling through May 13. In Southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria, the last four days are known as the most severe.

Old farmers’ rules say that when “Urban” (May 25) has passed, it is safe to take care of the sensitive planting.

The next cold snap that usually comes in June is the sheeps’ cold.