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Ever wondered if there's any truth behind planting by the moon? Or why wassailing is still a common folk practice in some parts of the world? In Gardener's Folklore, the record of these practices is unveiled, with plenty of tips and tricks to try in your own 21st century garden for blooming bushes and plentiful potatoes.
First published in 1976, Gardener's Folklore collects the little bits of magic and myth to be found in the gardens of Britain and North America. Compiled from letters sent by gardeners to the author Margaret Baker, it unravels and documents the mysterious sayings and scraps of knowledge that are passed down through generations, while exploring the science of the time that backed up - or in some cases, didn't - the claims that were made.
This delightfully written book shows just what people have believed and still believe will help their plants to grow. The observance of lunar and astrological conditions when planting, ways of encouraging fruit-bearing and discouraging pests, beliefs about the effects of climate and calendar, spells, the influence for good and bad of certain plants, the links between owners and trees - these are only a few of the aspects of gardening lore that are discussed.
Gleaned from the people who grew up with them, they have much to say about our rural origins as well as having, here and there, implications for our future. Capturing the knowledge that old-time gardeners used to have remarkable successes, the ancient secrets of a happy healthy garden are shared for a new generation of green-fingered plant-lovers.
1 Moon, Sun and Stars
The Moon's Phases • The Role of the Almanacs • '. . . Consult the Moon' • Above- and Below-Ground Crops • The Moon and Flowers • Planting, Grafting and Pruning Fruit-Trees • Harvesting the Crop • Weeds and Lawns: Fences and Fertilizers • Gardening by Moonlight: The Weather • The Sun's Path • Boundaries of Time • 'The Sun Leaves His Seat' • North to South: East to West • Signs of the Zodiac • Planting by the Signs • T. E. Black's System • Pros and Cons
2 Growing Magic
In the Orchard • 'Meere Idle Tales and Fancies' • First Fruits • 'Put a Dead Cat Under Them' • Planting Trees • Letters to Mice • Wassailing the Orchard • 'Them's Family Matters...' • Burning the Witch • Sex and Plants • Seeds and Cuttings
3 Seasons and Saints' Days: The Rolling Year
The Gate of the Year • Christmastide • St Bride, Candlemas and St Valentine • Leap Year Beans • Saints David, Chad and Patrick • Spring Weather • Blind Days and Planting Signs • The Date of Easter • Good Friday in the Garden • The Puzzle of Parsley • Potatoes and Good Friday • The Green of May • Whitsun and Gooseberry Shows • About Midsummer Day • Blessing the Apples • Fall Fairs and Flower Shows • Hallowe'en and Pumpkins • Winter Weather Signs
4 Witchcraft and the Supernatural
Eye, Voice and Hand • Weeds and Stones: More Curses • Orchard Denizens • Garden Ghosts • Trees and Plants of Presence • Iron and Salt: Stones and Bones • The Sign of the Cross • The Devil's Offering
5 Plants, Personalities and Predictions
Green Fingers and Thumbs • Plant to Plant: Plant to Owner • Life and Death • Telling the Plants • 'Flowers out of Season ...' • 'Moi, Je Parle aux Pommiers ...' • Musical Plants • Touching and Praying • Help from the Devas
6 Traditional Receipts
Soot and Tea: Boots and Beer • Eggshells and Ashes: Soap and Tobacco • Therapeutic Plants • Moles, Mice and Birds • Plants for Bees and Butterflies
7 Companion Planting
Herbs • The Allium Family • Companion Flowers • Amiable Vegetables
Appendix: The Calendar Change of 1752
References
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index