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On the way to Summer
On the way to Summer
Every year around May, Michigan seems to change almost overnight.
The trees finally fill in, birds get noticeably louder in the mornings, insects suddenly appear everywhere, and people start spending more time outside again. That shift isn’t just psychological, it’s ecological.
May is one of the most active months for ecosystems in the Great Lakes region because warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours signal plants and animals to restart seasonal activity after winter dormancy.
Bird migration especially becomes noticeable this time of year. Michigan sits along a major migratory flyway, meaning many birds use the Great Lakes region as a stopping point while traveling north. You'll see hummingbirds, orioles, warblers, and other species reappear in neighborhoods, wetlands, and parks.
At the same time:
Pollinators like bees and butterflies emerge in larger numbers
Trees begin their main growing season
Grass grows rapidly due to increased moisture and sunlight
Mammals become more active as food sources expand
Even allergies are connected to this environmental shift. The same plant growth that helps ecosystems recover also releases large amounts of pollen into the air during spring.
Interestingly, longer daylight exposure can also affect people directly. Increased sunlight helps regulate sleep cycles, boosts serotonin production, and often improves mood and energy levels after winter.
Basically, May is when both people and ecosystems begin functioning at full speed again.
Spring Crops
Spring Crops
By May, people are ready for full summer produce season but in Michigan farms are still in an important transition period.
This is the time of year when local farmers are planting, preparing soil, monitoring temperature swings, and starting crops that won’t fully arrive until later in the summer.
That’s why spring farmers markets look very different from July or August markets.
In May, Michigan produce is usually centered around:
Asparagus 4. Green onions
Rhubarb 5. Lettuce and leafy greens
Radishes 6. Herbs
Asparagus season, especially, is a major part of spring agriculture in Michigan. Because asparagus is a perennial crop, many local farms wait all year for this relatively short harvest window.
Supporting local farms this time of year also highlights something many people forget: food is seasonal.
Modern grocery stores make it easy to expect strawberries, tomatoes, and blueberries year-round, but many of those products travel thousands of miles before reaching shelves. Seasonal local produce often requires less transportation, less storage, and fewer resources overall.
Eating seasonally doesn’t need to be restrictive, it simply means paying attention to what naturally grows well around us during different times of year.
Why Michigan Spring Weather Feels So Chaotic
Why Michigan Spring Weather Feels So Chaotic
Michigan spring weather has a reputation for being unpredictable for a reason.
It’s not unusual to experience a 40-degree morning followed by a sunny 75-degree afternoon.
A major reason for this instability is the influence of the Great Lakes. Large bodies of water warm up and cool down much more slowly than land, which affects nearby temperatures, moisture levels, and storm systems throughout the spring.
At the same time, spring acts like a seasonal transition zone where cold winter air still clashes with incoming warm air masses from the south.
That combination creates:
Rapid temperature swings
Stronger storm systems
Windy conditions
Sudden rain showers
Highly inconsistent forecasts
Spring also tends to bring increased cloud cover and air pressure changes that can affect energy levels, headaches, and even mood for some people.
While Michigan weather jokes are common, these seasonal patterns are actually tied to larger environmental systems that influence everything from agriculture and migration to water levels and air quality throughout the region.
The unpredictability of spring is part of what shapes life around the Great Lakes.
The Environmental Cost of Travel Season
The Environmental Cost of Travel Season
May is also when travel season starts to peak.
Road trips pick up, flights increase, campgrounds reopen, and people start spending more time outdoors again. Around Memorial Day, travel numbers often spike significantly across the country.
That increase in movement also increases environmental impact in ways many people don’t immediately think about.
More travel generally means:
Higher fuel consumption
Increased greenhouse gas emissions
More traffic congestion
Increased litter in parks and recreation areas
Greater pressure on natural spaces during peak tourism months
Gas prices also tend to rise heading into summer partly because demand increases as more people begin traveling regularly again.
None of this means people shouldn’t travel or enjoy the season.
Small decisions can still make a difference:
Carpooling with friends or family
Combining errands into fewer trips
Supporting local destinations and businesses
Using public transit when possible
Cleaning up after outdoor activities
Respecting trails, beaches, and green spaces
Travel is one of the best parts of warmer weather. Being more mindful about how we move through spaces can help protect the places people are trying to enjoy in the first place.
Environmental stewardship doesn’t always have to look large or complicated. Often, it begins with simply noticing what’s growing, migrating, changing, and returning with the season. As Michigan moves closer to summer, May offers a reminder that even small everyday choices, from how we travel to what we buy and how we interact with outdoor spaces, can play a role in supporting the environment and the communities connected to it.
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