Everything You Need to Know About Spring

May 23, 2025

Spring isn’t just about ditching your winter coat or spotting the first daffodil. It’s when days stretch longer, birds migrate, festivals abound—and yes, allergies make their annual appearance. Here’s what makes this season so much more than just ‘the time before summer.’

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What Is the Origin of the Spring Season?

Spring isn’t just some random human-made label we slapped on a warm period of the year. It’s a direct result of Earth’s tilt and orbit.

Our planet is tilted about 23.4 degrees on its vertical axis. This tilt is what gives us seasons. As Earth orbits the Sun, different parts of the globe lean into the sunlight at different times.

When your hemisphere starts getting more direct sunlight, temperatures rise, and—voilà—spring arrives.

Fun Fact: This seasonal shift has been acknowledged for thousands of years.

Why Is Spring Called Spring?

Before it was “spring,” people called this season “lencten”—an Old English word about days getting longer. That same word eventually morphed into “Lent” (yep, the religious observance).

Later, folks started saying “springing time,” because plants seemed to jump out of the ground after winter literally. Eventually, the phrase was shortened to just ‘spring’ by the 14th century.

When Exactly Is Spring?

Determining the exact start of spring can be trickier than it seems.

The spring equinox usually lands around March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. But because of leap years and orbital variations, the date can shift slightly.

Northern Hemisphere Spring

Starts: Around March 20–21
Ends: Around June 20–21 (summer solstice)
Months: March, April, May (plus part of June)

Southern Hemisphere Spring

Starts: Around September 22–23
Ends: Around December 21–22
Months: September, October, November (plus part of December)

How Long Is Spring?

Spring typically lasts about three months, or approximately 12 to 13 weeks, depending on the year and your location.

It’s also worth noting that there are two ways to define spring:

Astronomical Spring: Based on equinoxes and solstices (March–June in the north, September–December in the south).
Meteorological Spring: Based on calendar months, used by weather experts for easier statistical tracking.
- Northern Hemisphere: March, April, May
- Southern Hemisphere: September, October, November

So, depending on which method you follow, the dates may vary slightly, but spring consistently makes up about one-quarter of the year.

What Are the Different Meanings of ‘Spring’?

The word “spring” is not always about the season. It can also mean:

To jump or leap: “She sprang into action.”
To originate from something: “The idea sprang from a conversation.”
A coiled metal object: Like the ones inside your mattress or in your car suspension.
A natural water source: A spring is where groundwater flows up to the surface.

Other Words for Spring Season

If you want to mix things up or sound more poetic, there are a few other terms people use to describe spring:

Vernal: From the Latin word ver, meaning spring. You’ll hear it in phrases like “vernal equinox.”
Equinox: Technically refers to the day spring begins, but is sometimes used to represent the whole seasonal shift.
Mud Season: Popular in parts of New England and other snowy regions where melting snow makes everything, well, muddy.
The Thaw: Refers to the melting of ice and snow after winter.
Greenup: A term in farming and forestry that marks the moment when plants start leafing out and regrowth kicks in.

Should You Capitalize Spring?

Don’t capitalize “spring” unless it’s part of a proper noun or title.

✅ “I love spring.”
✅ “The trees bloom in spring.”
✅ “She’s planning a trip for Spring Break.”
❌ “I love Spring.”

Stick to lowercase unless it’s part of something formal, like Spring Semester or Spring Festival.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! Whether you call it the vernal season, mud-fest, or simply spring, we can all agree it’s more than just pretty flowers and longer days.