How do you know it is spring in your area?

In your area of the country or your country, what criteria do you use to "guess" that spring is nigh and winter is over? In Texas some of us look to the mesquite trees. It is said they will not leaf out until all danger of frost is over. They have been fooled sometimes, but rarely. During the summer I make a mental note of where the mesquite trees are located, and forget by the next year near springtime. But I found a bonaza of them behind a shopping mall and only have to drive past to see. Mesquites are not a tree we grow as a landscape tree, even though I think they are beautiful. But most think they are a pest and a half. Some say they are always dropping something or shedding something or the 2" or 3" long thorns aren't fun when you run into them while mowing.

Anyway, they helped wild horses and cattle and native Americans' and settlers survive the harsh Texas summers with the beans they dropped that could be ground and added to flour, and the shade they provide, and shade in summertime Texas is a big plus. And then there were some of us who started looking to them to let us know when spring is around the corner.

So, let us know what you think is an indicator that spring is there in your little corner of the world and it is safe to plant the tender summer plants. I'll probably be putting in tomatoes next week and that I'm feeling pretty sure spring really is here and the mesquite trees have leafed in my secret grove. Anyway, I still have the garden sheets in case it does happen to get cold again.