Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Just "Chill Out" For The Next Couple Of Days...!


One thing about folklore is that you can find a good reason to celebrate all the time!

Why celebrate? Because, according to the Almanac, the passing of these particular 3 days is supposed to mark the safest time to plant!

I think that most of us sort of go by instinct when it comes to the garden, but it never hurts to study what the old timers had to say, ya know?

Three Chilly Saints

May 11, 12, and 13 are the feast days of Saints Mamertus, Pancras, and Gervais. These three are known as the Three Chilly Saints not because they were cold during their lifetimes, but because these days are traditionally the coldest of the month. English and French folklore (and later American) held that these days would bring a late frost. In Germany, they were called the Icemanner, or Icemen Days, and people believed it was never safe to plant until the Icemen were gone. Another bit of folklore claimed, "Who shears his sheep before St. Gervatius's Day loves more his wool than his sheep."

Now, my garden is pretty small! However, I am already eating the cukes and the hot peppers!

The okra is blooming, and I have a lot of green tomatoes on the vines. Lots of blooms on the yellow squash and the bell peppers as well!

I probably shouldn't have planted Catnip in the corner of the garden, but the cats seem to love it and they check it out every day!

That, in turn, keeps the Bluejays from going after the tomatoes, at least so far! We'll see if that continues! Those jays do love fresh, red tomatoes!

Well, my friends, let's have some fresh coffee on the patio this morning! Rain in the forecast, but you know how THAT goes, right?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's often a lot of truth in the old ways.

AV

Ben in Texas said...

I found that catnip in the garden , and thereby the cats laying it in, deterred the birds from getting after my tomatoes. BUT the trade off, the other birds also didn't come get the bugs off the plants either.. What to do, What to do?
:-)

Hang ole red Xmas tree ornaments on the tomato cages, the birds figer out that the pretty red things aren't good to eat.

Sixbears said...

The old time saying around here is it's not safe to plant until after the first full moon in May. (northern NH)

Had frost on my roof two days ago.

HermitJim said...

Hey AV...
I've found that to be so true so many times!

The old timers had some good advise, I think!

I appreciate the visit, my friend!


Hey Ben...
Now, I hadn't thought of that! I'll have to try it!

I hate to re4ach for a tomato and find that it has a hole eaten out of one side!

You have a good day, and thanks for coming by this morning, buddy!


Hey SixBears...
That sounds about right to me!

I guess that every area has their own sayings that pertain to them.

Thanks for coming by today!

Momlady said...

Be careful the catnip doesn't take over the garden.

HermitJim said...

Hey Momlady...
So far it hasn't shown any signs of wanting to spread! I'm sure the cats wouldn't mind a bit!

Bound to be another use for the catnip besides getting the cats high!

Thanks for coming by today!

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One
I might have to pay attention to this post. I have only planted flowers so far. It has been very cold here again and yesterday we had snow flurries. Today looks to be about the same. Great post.
You mention cats did your fur baby come back?

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
Snow flurries? Wow! I'm fighting the hot weather and you're getting snow!

When I refer to cats (plural), I'm just referring to my cat and Mom's cat! I think she has decided to adopt me!

No, ol' Smoky is still gone! I do miss him!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!