Sakura Watch March 21, 2026 - First day of spring is here, but how long until the cherry blossoms follow?
Sakura Watch March 21, 2026 - First day of spring is here, but how long until the cherry blossoms follow? The calendar may say that spring is finally here, but I wouldn’t doubt it if looking out the window and walking through the park made you think otherwise. Today was a cold, breezy day, and I questioned not wearing my warmer faux-fur-lined winter coat, but I persevered and ventured out with cold hands (of course, I forgot to bring gloves) to check the state of the sakura cherry blossom buds. Keep reading and watch the video to see my latest visit.
Watch the YouTube video update below.
Healthy buds abound
Once again, I was happy to see and report that the cherry blossom buds continue to look great in the current first stage of development. They have maintained their brilliant bronze colour, with light colour tips, and may have even swelled ever so slightly more than last week. Visiting the trees lining the Sports fields and along Cherry Hill, they all showed the same level of abundance, which bodes well for a great bloom to come. Here are a few photos from what I saw this weekend:
waiting on the weather
As is usually the case in the first few visits, the trees are only in their early stages, so predicting when the blossom will bloom is hard to pin down. The weather forecast, along with historical data from past years with similar weather and growth patterns, helps determine dates, but at this early stage, I always look to the typical blooming time, which is later April to early May. Actual weather patterns in the weeks ahead will help determine exactly when to expect them - if we get warming trends and sunnier days, the progress will quicken for mid to late April. But if cold winter weather continues, dates will be pushed back to May. However, the only thing I can always be certain about is to expect the unexpected. With each future visit, I will be able to paint a clearer picture, but for now, all I can say is stay tuned for more updates soon!
Do Your Part to Help the Trees from Damage
As much fun as it is to get up close to enjoy the cherry blossoms truly, there are some who take it a bit too far and cause damage to the tree that can lead to irreparable harm so the trees can not protect themselves from insects and disease and eventually die. This leaves us with less mature trees to enjoy, so please, if you really want to enjoy the blossoms for many years to come, you need to do your part to help protect the trees and prevent any harm to them:
Don’t pick or break off any blossoms
Don’t pull down, shake or break off the branches
Don’t climb, sit or stand on the trunks or branches - the mature trees are very old and not strong enough to support the weight and stress of people, even small children!
Don’t leave any litter IN or around the trees - it’s so sad to see people putting their garbage in the hollow trunks of the older trees, which invites animals and other insects to nest inside and cause internal damage.
DO take photos without harming the trees
DO enjoy the blossoms and respect their immediate surroundings
DO remember that respecting the trees from root to branch will help everyone to enjoy the blooming trees for many years to come
Donate to Support The Cherry Blossoms
The City of Toronto now accepts donations to help maintain existing trees and plant future ones. See this link for details.
Read more details and information on the City of Toronto - Cherry Blossom Website
Thank you all for visiting the site. Be careful, be safe, and watch for more updates soon.