The Promise of Spring

​The first day of spring is one thing
And the first spring day is another.
The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.
-Van Dyke

Spring arrives this week – and good weather will accompany the day of the Spring Equinox – our first day of Spring. After the long winter, I am welcoming Spring with open arms.

Yesterday, I greeted Spring in the garden where the cheery crocuses are blooming and their bright yellow/orange color is a joy for my winter-weary eyes that have seen brown or white for far too long.

And since it was St. Pat’s Day, I planted the radish and lettuce seed, as this is a yearly ritual – my time to begin gardening in the earth.

The bulbs I planted last fall are emerging from the darkness of winter to the annual awakening of the earth. I will be rewarded by my last autumn’s efforts when the daffodils and tulips bloom this spring.

And yesterday, I heard my first peepers of the spring season near the little pond to the south of my home. The “peepers” are really the western chorus frogs, but I’ve always called them peepers – and I love hearing their song of spring. (I write more about them in the March chapter of my book Gatherings from the Good Earth). The birds are singing a different song now, telling me spring is here and it always comes after the winter, when we are thinking we cannot take one more day of cabin fever.

To further celebrate the First Day of Spring on Wednesday, the March full moon will make its appearance! In times long ago, this full moon was called the Sap Moon as the sap was rising in the trees and time had come to tap for making syrups. It was also called the Mud Moon, and this is very appropriate for the Midwest. The spring thaw, snow melting with warmer temperatures, and rains have made our country lanes and roads a muddy mess. Flooding seems to be a spring ritual – and not a welcome one. My home state of Nebraska is experiencing historic flooding now, and my heart goes out to them.  Many of our groups had to be canceled over the last two months and classes were postponed, so check out the monthly newsletter for our many classes offered.

On April 9th, I would encourage everyone (and bring a friend) to attend the Kaw Valley Herb Study group which is a public venue held at the UU Fellowship hall on 1200 Rd., south of Lawrence. The speaker will be K.U. Professor Kelly Kindscher, local resident and nationally known for his work with native plants. He has authored several books and has a very busy schedule, so we are fortunate to have this time with him. This is a wonderful chance to hear from the person who facilitated the birthing of the KU Medicinal Garden north of Lawrence (info is in the March newsletter). Mark your calendar for this important event and tell your friends too!

By the end of March, my great-grandma’s purple mini iris will be blooming in my garden, and I am counting the days to see the first bloom. (I write about her mini iris in the March chapter of my book which is available at the shop). Check the shop schedule and come see what’s growing in the shop gardens.

Happy Spring, Twila