May Day, celebrated on the first day of the month in many Western European countries, dates back to at least Roman times. Bona Dea, the "good goddess," was celebrated on 1st May to assure fertility of both earth and women.
Alas, in these less than religious times, ceremonies have become commercialized and celebrated two weeks later, on the second Sunday in May. To the delight of florists, Mother's Day admittedly encourages the presenting of vast quantities of plants' sex organs.
It is also the day that sees the running of the Kentucky Derby, the winner of which will be toasted in many a mint julep. You can always tell the grave of a true southern gentleman, so 'tis said, by the mint growing thereon. Alas, there seems to be no truth in the tale, any more than Mother's Day comes nine months after Father's Day.
The week prior to Mother's Day is National Herb Week. Celebrated since 1991 thanks to the International Herb Association, this year is the turn of Bay Laurel,
Laurus nobilis. A broad-leaved evergreen native to the Mediterranean region and Asia Minor, it may attain a height of as much as 20 metres in milder climates. Sacred to the sun god Apollo, according to mythology this deity, as randy as they came, pursued poor nymph Daphne until she mercifully became a laurel tree.
In southern Hampshire and westward through Devon in England, the bay tree was believed to protect one against the devil as well as storms and so often planted close to the house. Many survive to this day. Except in the milder parts of North America, it is confined to containers. Moved outside in summer, brought back indoors in winter, it requires some skill to allow it to flourish --definitely not novice material.
Wreaths of laurel leaves were worn by winners at the Olympic Games, first celebrated in 776 B.C. Later, as was much of Greek culture, it was adopted by the Romans. Julius Caesar was delighted to be allowed to wear such a wreath permanently --it concealed his bald spot. The Emperor Tiberius believed
his laurel wreath protected him during thunderstorms. He may have been right --history tells us he was never, ever struck by lightning. Later, a leek-loving Nero hightailed it for hills filled with air-purifying bay trees when plague struck Rome.
Others were not so enthralled. "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree," as Psalms 37:35 puts it. Apparently there were also economists in those days to.
Bay leaves,
laurier-sauc, are a traditional ingredient of the
bouquet garne notes Prosper Montagne, in the classic guide to French cooking,
Larousse Gastronomique (1938). Also in numerous French dishes such as bouillabaisse and bouillons together with meats, poultry, fish and much else.
As experienced gardeners are wont to enquire: Getting mulch? This is a sneaky way to arrive at the tips for the month, but many and varied are the wonders a good thick application of mulch. Weed-inhibitor, moisture-preserver, soil-cooler and organic additive, you just can't get enough mulch. Other seasonal tips:
While the last frost is now listed as the end of April or early May, resist the blandishments of retailers and don't be in too much of a hurry to install tender plants, especially basil and tomatoes.
Remove only the dead blooms of daffodils, tulips and other large-flowered bulbs but allow the foliage to die back after feeding
next year's bulb.
Any perennials not yet cut back, take care of immediately
Apply a general fertilizer to bulbs, perennials and evergreens but not to flowering shrubs until they have finished blooming
Prune spring-flowering shrubs immediately after blooming (summer flowering shrubs are pruned in very late winter or early spring).
Keep needle-bearing evergreen bushes bushy by lightly shearing them in May or early June, removing about half the new growth made that spring.
Fertilize the lawn later this month or even leave until early June; dethatch and aerate also
Mowing the lawn no shorter than 5 cm (2 inches) will choke out most weeds; remove larger ones with a sharp knife or one of the many patented tools now available (see [url=http://www.rittenhouse.ca]http://www.rittenhouse.ca[/url])
Watch for early-arriving aphids, especially on roses; Safer's 'Trounce,' a natural (and legal pesticide), is widely available
Boiling water poured between patio stones kills weeds and bugs
Used grapefruit halves place upside down attract slugs that can then be disposed of in boiling water
Take a little bit at a time; gardening is to be enjoyed. But there is probably no better way to burn up those calories. For every hour spent gardening, a 140-pound person loses 280 calories. Walking for an hour results in the loss of 200 calories.
We lost at least that anxiously awaiting to see if four of Proven Winners shrubs provided through Gardenimport ([url=http://www.gardenimport.com]http://www.gardenimport.com[/url]) had survived a winter that tested not just shrubs. All came through with flying colours --even the 'Blue Chiffon' hardy hibiscus and reblooming dwarf lilac 'Bloomerang‚' despite being buried under snow thrown from the driveway. This pair, along with 'Lo & Behold' buddleia and 'Let's Dance' hydrangea are now throwing bud. 'Bloomerang' should be busting with scented bloom at the end of the month --hard to wait for. Many thanks to Gardenimport's Dugald Cameron and Proven Winners' Kerry Myer. The latter hails from Missouri, thus proving that Bennett Cerf was wrong in his memorable quip about 'Missouri loves company.'
Finally we are happy to be able to report that Bruce Zimmerman's Open-Line Garden Show returned to the air on FM 105.1 early last month after a short hiatus. Whether oft-vitriolic attacks on the station's program director were the cause of the reprieve is unknown. However, with the dearth of such down-to-earth broadcasting in south-central Ontario Bruce's up-and-at-'em Saturdays 8 am to 10 am EST is very welcome. Reach him at [url=http://www.openlinegardenshow.com]http://www.openlinegardenshow.com[/url] or the station at [url=http://www.river/fm/]http://www.river/fm/[/url]
One can only hope that said program director is aware of a recent item in
USA Today. What are favourite springtime activities? Gardening at 28% led the way, with walking or running trailing at 18%. Outdoor sports such as baseball, soccer, tennis and golf accounted for a dismal 11%.
Bona Dea indeed.
