First come the crocus and daffodils. Then come the tulips. Then come the solicitors.

The appearance of earnest young people peddling magazines door-to-door is a reliable predictor that spring has arrived in Lawrence.

The first signs of their return appeared this week with three people from out of state arrested Tuesday for soliciting without a required city-issued license. Two of them – a 24-year-old Evergreen, Colo., man and a 26-year-old Owensboro, Ky., man – were arrested after soliciting in the 1700 block of Lake Road.

Another, a 22-year-old Delaware woman, was arrested the same day for selling magazines without a license in the 2200 block of Melholland Road. The resident who complained to police said the woman wouldn’t take no for an answer, according to a report.

All were released on bond and ordered to appear in court May 10.

In an effort to protect consumers, the city requires anyone who goes door-to-door soliciting to keep information on file with City Hall and to have a city-issued license.