👨🌾 May '24: Farmer's Markets, Fresh Berries and Fire Flies
May is here and with it comes bounty!
🏡 In the Garden
May is here and with it comes bounty. For those of us growing at home, I’ve found May to be less about planting and more about feeding and maintenance. Pests will start to emerge once the soil begins to warm. Now is the time to be vigilant and actively looking for eggs, larvae and adult pests
For a continual harvest throughout the summer, plant second and third plantings of snap beans, corn, squash in May.
Don’t forget!
Any shrubs or trees planted in the spring will need to be watched carefully, watered deeply, and mulched heavily. It is important to avoid letting these plantings to dry out!
👜 Tis The Season
For Farmer’s Markets! May is the month where most farmer’s markets kick into gear.
Farmers markets are cheat codes for those looking to live seasonally. Not only are they a great way to support local farmers and producers, but they also offer a wide variety of fresh, seasonal produce that will help you eat with the natural rhythms of the season. By shopping at farmers markets, you can enjoy the benefits of produce that is often more flavorful, nutritious, and sustainable than what you might find at a traditional grocery store. In addition, farmers markets can be a fun and social way to connect with your community and learn more about the food that you eat.
Eating In Season
🔵 Look for blueberries and blackberries to be coming in!
🟢 Spring Bounty! Look for lettuces, brocolli, peas, carotts, beets, cabbage, and other cool season crops at the market.
🔴 In north Alabama, where we are, tomatoes usually aren’t ready until late May at the earliest!
🌕 Lunar Calendar
The Flower Moon, May's full moon, gets its name from the blooming flowers that follow April's rainfall. Another name for it is the Corn Planting Moon, which is less romantic but more practical. Farmers appreciate full moons because they can work under the light it provides, particularly if the sky is clear.
Look for the full Flower Moon on Thursday, May 23rd.
📅 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.
May firsts to be looking for:
Remember these are general examples for zone 7 in the southeast 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 firefly sighting in the evening
First catepillar sighting
First 90 degree day
First day warm enough for a swim in the creek
First calls of the Barred Owl
First blooming of vibrant flowers like the Black-eyed Susan or Purple Coneflowers
Before You Go!
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📜 Missed last week’s newsletter? See it here: Morgan’s first letter!
So might gardening is a thing?? I discovered that last summer when I was pregnant and too hot and busy during the day. I would go out at night to trim things and use a black light to look for pests!
What Kind of calendar do you use to keep track of firsts? Paper? Electronic? Day planner?