Seasonality: Solstices and equinoxes mark the four movements in a celestial score. The older I get, the more I aspire to tap into the symphonic song of nature. To harmonize with the flow of seasons, the cycles in our landscapes, and the larger universe.
Spring or vernal equinox signals the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, marking the passage of the Sun across the celestial equator, as it travels from south to north. At the equinox (from the Latin aequus, “equal,” and nox, “night” - generally on the 20th or 21st of March), Earth’s northern and southern hemispheres are receiving the Sun’s rays equally, and night and day are nearly equal in length. In fact, the spring equinox ushers in a long-awaited gardening season. For me, it means pruning orchard trees and roses, building wattle from the spoils, and listening to spring peepers sing out from vernal pools in the night. It’s watching rhubarb and spring bulbs push up through the leaf litter (don’t jump the gun and remove this vital protection too early!). Using the first cool, sunny days to work up a sweat, repairing walls and filling garden beds with the compost that winter turned to soil. Planting the heartiest of cold-weather crops—mache, arugula, spinach, borage, calendula, kale, collards, cabbage, parsnip, turnip, radish—to ensure a delicious spring follows. Making teas and salads from the first perennials and self-sowing greens. Using the growing hours of sun and heat to follow the season and plant more tender annuals when they will succeed. This equinox also means vestiges of the ancient rites of spring, rebirth, and renewal celebrating the goddess Eostre, Passover, and Easter—holidays traditions that make good use of the abundance of early spring herbs, eggs, and dairy.
Living in tune with the seasons helps bring variety and flow to life. It helps me to observe and celebrate the subtle changes around me, and join in celebrations observed since ancient times. Most importantly, as a gardener, this Equinox reminds me that every Spring offers an opportunity to start anew.
Happy Spring Equinox friends!
The Heirloom Gardener - John Forti
Artist, Amanda Clarke
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