Spring Bud 2000
Early Spring in Panama

These images document the weather from an upstairs window here

Spring Planting Schedule

This schedule tells when to plant seed, sprout and when to harvest

A Recipe for Wild Cowslips

How to identify, harvest, and cook wild cowslips.

Wild Leeks: A Taste of Spring

A treat for those who don't have upcoming meetings of any importance

Grow a Garden

It's all about spending time outside through the spring and summer

Constructing a Raised Bed Garden

A plan for creating a modest raised garden

Seasons of the Senecas

Local Native American seasonal celebrations

The Relief Pitcher

A short story, for spring, by the screenwriter Stephen Peters

Wriggling like a pink worm,
the cherry bud pops through the branch's tip.

Surprise!

Juan Wilson - Spring Bud 2001

the earth splits like

chocolate cake

as buds sweeten

the air

Juan Wilson - Spring Bud 2000

Swelling with the dreams of petals,

most buds survived the snowy night.

 

by Juan Wilson - Spring Bud 1999

The pale moon rises,

tugging at the snow rimmed pond,

to wake dreaming frogs.

by Juan Wilson & Linda Pascatore - Spring Bud 1998

The Phase Named Bud

We have divided the year into eight phases, based on the Solstices, the Equinoxes and the midpoints of the four seasons (see Solar Phases above). We are now in the phase of Bud, which begins on the first day of Spring, the Vernal Equinox, March 20th. The equinox is the point where day and night are equal in length.

The equinox is associated with fertility and new life, thus the symbols of bunnies, eggs and spring flowers. Our holiday of Easter is based on the equinox. Easter is set as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. Centuries ago when the date was determined, it was probably so that people traveling to religious celebrations would have moonlight to guide their way. The word Easter is derived from Eostra, the Saxon Goddess of the Dawn of the Year.

In this season of early spring, we will soon see signs of new life budding out. We have already noted coltsfoot, a small dandelion-like flower, blooming on the roadsides here in Western New York. Look for white or red Trillium and yellow Trout Lilies in the woods during April. Wild foods abound at this time of year! Bright yellow cowslips will brighten creek beds and marshy areas; wild leeks should soon be found in woods and ravines, followed by dandelions. The Italians call dandelion greens "chicoria". They can be boiled up for a healthy tonic of spring greens. Our ancestors greatly appreciated these first greens of spring after a long winter with a sparse supply of the vitamins and minerals these foods offer.

Animals are coming out of hibernation at this time, and young are born to many species. Walleye and suckers are spawning, and trout season opens April 1st. Birds are returning from the South, and are breeding and nesting. The Gobblers are gobbling! Male turkeys gobble to seduce females and establish territory. They will be mating this period.

Peepers and Cowslips
by Frances Newhouse Teculver

 

Last night on a balmy breeze there blew

a thrilling, trilling sound I knew.

The song the tiny peepers sing--

it was the age-old song of spring.

So into the 'wakening swamp I went,

as if on a quest for treasure bent.

 

Bright green was growing all around.

The cowslips were covering the ground.

Delightedly I knew I'd sup

on leaves that frame a buttercup.

It's a bittersweet and tangy taste.

Don't let portents of spring go to waste.

Pawnee Prayer

Earth our mother, breathe forth life

all night sleeping

now awaking

in the east

now see the dawn

 

Earth our mother, breathe and awaken

leaves are stirring

all things moving

new day coming

life renewing

 

Eagle soaring, see the morning

see the new mysterious morning

something marvelous and sacred

though it happens every day

Dawn the child of God and Darkness

 

from Earth Prayers: Edited by Elizabeth Roberts & Elias Amidon

Spring Pools

by Robert Frost

These pools that, though in forests, still reflect

The total sky almost without defect,

And like the flowers beside them, chill and shiver,

Will like the flowers beside them soon be gone,

And yet not out by any brook or river,

But up by roots to bring dark foliage on.

 

The trees that have it in their pent-up buds

To darken nature and be summer woods--

Let them think twice before they use their powers

To blot out and drink up and sweep away

These flowery waters and these watery flowers

From snow that melted only yesterday.

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