🥔 Looking ahead to February '24!
The gardening season is upon us! Also: A sweet treat to try!
February will mark the first time we plant into our garden for 2024 which is exciting news. Gardening activities start picking up and yet it is still a relatively quiet month before the gardening storm of March and April.
What’s Inside
🥔 Garden To-Dos
✅ Timely Tips
🍊 Winter Sweet Treat
🌕 Lunar Calendar
🥇 Calendar of Firsts!
“… what really matters goes on inside every piece of that fruit. Nutrient density and medicinal attributes of the food we eat correlate directly with how we grow our food. More flavorful fruit results when we optimize [for] biological [plant] health. No amount of propaganda changes that truth.”
Michael Phillips, from his book “The Holistic Orchard”
🥔 Garden To-Dos
Last month we seeded indoors what will be our early spring transplants: kale, brocolli, cabbage, and celery. If you seeded these crops in early or mid January, they will be ready for hardening off in late February. (For an explanaton on hardening off, see last weeks letter here.)
This month, we will be seeding our late spring transplants: tomatoes, basil, peppers, and eggplant. We will look to harden these seedlings off in late March, early April!
We will be direct seeding, straight into the garden: potatoes, peas, radishes, parsley, and carrots.
February is the month to put out fresh compost in the garden to make sure the fertility levels are high.
✅ Timely Tips
Pruning fruit trees, berry bushes and woody ornamentals before the spring growth begins and they are still dormant: Take advantage of the dormant season to prune fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody ornamentals. Remove dead or diseased branches, shape the plants for optimal growth, and encourage better fruiting or flowering. Pruning during winter promotes healthy growth, enhances plant vigor, and sets the stage for a productive growing season ahead.
Sharpening and clean tools and blades: Show some love to your trusty garden tools during the winter months. Sharpen blades, oil wooden handles, and clean any dirt or debris accumulated during the previous season. Proper maintenance not only prolongs the lifespan of your tools but also ensures they are ready for action when spring arrives.
🍊 Winter Sweet Treat
Ok, so we have never done this, but I like the idea. Citrus comes into season during the winter. Considering this, how appropriate are candied orange rinds in February? I know, Right? What better little treat to help you get through the doldrums of a dreary February.
Here are two recipes that I looked at and plan to follow.
🌕 Lunar Calendar
Early Native American tribes bestowed the title of the Snow Moon upon February’s full moon, as it coincided with the season of heaviest snowfall. Its arrival marked a challenging time for hunting due to the harsh weather conditions, leading some tribes to refer to it as the Hunger Moon. This designation reflected the scarcity of resources and the difficulties faced in procuring sustenance during this unforgiving period.
Look for the Snow Moon on February 24th.
🥇 Calendar of Firsts
A calendar of firsts serves as a meaningful tool to celebrate and connect with the ever-changing rhythms of nature throughout the year. Its purpose is to document and acknowledge the first occurrences of various events and natural phenomena that mark the transition of seasons. By recording the first blooming flowers, migrating birds, or changing foliage, individuals deepen their awareness of the subtle shifts that unfold in the natural world. This heightened observation cultivates a sense of awe and appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our environment. Moreover, a calendar of firsts invites us to engage in a deeper relationship with the natural world, fostering a sense of connection, mindfulness, and gratitude. It allows us to truly immerse ourselves in the present moment and develop a greater understanding of the intricate cycles that shape our lives and the world around us.
February firsts to be looking for:
Remember these are general examples for zone 7 in the southeastern US. Specific occurances will depend on your regional climate and conditions. Keeping a personal calendar or journal will allow you to capture the unique experiences and observations of each month in your region.
First Daffodil bloom
First woodpecker drumming
First sign of trees budding out, maybe even blooming!
I saw my first cardinal today! Thanks for reminding me to recognize and appreciate this ‘first’ moment.