Spring

Are You Fooling? It’s April!

April 1, 2009

“Hail April, the Medea of the year, That makest all things young and fresh appear.” R. Chambers, The Book of Days, 1866 It’s the first day of April. Each day, spring grows stronger in its fight against winter. And our gardens start to look especially lovely after months of gray, dreary days. The colorful bulb […]

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Weather Like a Lion or Lamb?

March 26, 2009

Weather predictions are common in March and have been for centuries. Consider this old English weather proverb: “If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb,If it comes in like a lamb, it goes out like a lion.” What are you experiencing now — the lion or the lamb?

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Happy Lady Day, Happy New Year

March 25, 2009

While you’re out enjoying your spring garden, consider this cool fact. Today was the start of the year for many gardeners in past centuries. It’s true. From the twelfth century until the calendar changed in 1752, March 25 began the year (not Jan. 1) on the Old Style calendars in England and Ireland. In the […]

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17th Century Garden Tips for March

March 24, 2009

“In March, the Moon being new, sow Garlic, Chervil, Marjoram, white Poppy, double Marigolds, Thyme and Violets. At the full Moon, Chicory, Fennel and Apples of Love. At the wane, Artichokes, Basil, Cucumbers, Spinach, Gillyflowers, Cabbage, Lettuce, Burnets, Leeks and Savory.” Gervase Markham, The English Housewife, 1683 Keep in mind this advice was written for […]

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A Bit of Valentine Folklore

February 12, 2009

“Oft have I heard both youths and virgins say Birds choose their mates, and couple too, today.” Robert Herrick, 1648 As another Valentine’s Day approaches, how much do you know about this day of love? Personally, I didn’t know much until I pulled out my old folklore books. So, if you’ve ever wondered how the […]

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February Begins

February 1, 2009

Welcome February! Spring is coming, and I can’t help craving flowers like the lovely ones photographed above by Isabel Gomes. Did You Know? February gets its name from the Latin Februarius, which is derived from februa or “means of cleansing.” This was probably due to the many purification rituals that occured this month in earlier times.

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