April - when the garden begins to buzz and hum with the Buff-Tailed Bumblebee, Scorpion Fly, and Dark-Edged Bee Fly. The creepy crawlies emerge from hibernation, the 14-spot ladybird, the Earwig and the Green Shield Bug. These are a gardeners first signs to start rubbing their hands together with glee in anticipation for the first outdoor sowings of the year. Keeping an eye and ear out for all of Nature’s awakenings is one way to do it. Traditionally, farmers would stride out to their fields, remove their trousers and sit butt-naked on the soil to check the warmth of the earth. If it felt cold to their bare bottoms, then the wait to sow would continue. If warm, it was good to go! But seeing as I work in a public environment and wouldn’t want to distress our customers, I’ll restrict myself to being an observer to Mother Nature’s wildlife!
Phenology, I find, is an interesting subject to experiment with in your garden. Phenology is the study of seasonal change, as reflected in plant and animal life. The practice of using Phenology as a guideline to our gardening plans, makes much sense. It also teaches us to become more in tune with nature, seeing and understanding the critical connection between climate, plants, insects, and animals. For example, dandelions in full bloom are often considered a sign that it is time to plant your potatoes, or the flowering of forsythia is linked to the sowing of peas. No year brings the same results and timings, which is why gardeners should never rely on the calendar.
Insects have been around for millions of years; they have developed and refined schedules for coming out of dormancy and reproducing as quickly as possible. Phenology, again, gives us a good indication of how to manage garden pests. With the blooming of certain plants come the tell-tale sign of the emerging insects that feed upon these plants, preparing us for their arrival, rather than having to cure them afterwards. For instance, wild chicory in bloom, their pretty blue flowers signal that it’s open season for the squash vine borer which probably kills more unprotected squash and pumpkins than any other pest. Keeping notes and observing what comes into blossom, what insects emerge and the average temp and month that they do, could greatly assist our planting schedule, preventing plant damage and therefore promoting better yields for us.
April is one of those months in which I tend to connect the most with the garden - when I feel particularly ‘well-grounded’ or ‘keeping my feet on the ground’. It gives me a true sense of well-being. It keeps me present and with my hands in the soil, I feel well and truly rooted.
When I plant something, I am very aware that it is never mine. My job is to set the wheels in motion. Nature does the rest. The joy is, at Pythouse, we can share our produce with anyone who sees or consumes what we grow. To share what we grow, really completes the circle of connection and intimacy that we have with the soil. If what we cultivate recharges, or increases the quality of our well-being, then it is so very important that we share this with others too. If we grow our produce with hands of love and with the intention of spreading this love around the table with others, we are well and truly on our way to experiencing the essence of social well-being. Never underestimate the virtues and joys of growing for others. Being with those we love and sharing home-grown food around a table, really IS, food for the soul.