Close to the autumnal equinoxes, Michaelmas is one of the
old ‘quarter days’. These were the four significant dates in the agricultural,
legal and university calendars. It used to be said that harvest had to be
completed by Michaelmas, almost like the marking of the end of the productive
season and the beginning of the new cycle of farming. Consequently Harvest Festival is usually marked at the end of September. It was the time at which
new servants were hired or land was exchanged and debts were paid. This is how
it came to be for Michaelmas to be the time for electing magistrates and also
the beginning of legal and university terms. Michaelmas Day is 29th September.
Folklore in the British Isles suggests that Michaelmas day
is the last day that blackberries can be picked. It is said that when St.
Michael expelled Lucifer, the devil, from heaven, he fell from the skies and
landed in a prickly blackberry bush. Satan cursed the fruit, scorched them with
his fiery breath, and stamped and spat on them, so that they would be unfit for
eating. As it is considered ill-advised to eat them after 29 September, a
Michaelmas pie is made from the last berries of the season.
We did celebrate Harvest at UCF on the nearest Sunday - I think that was just how it worked out. I haven't picked any berries since either [although there's one small box left in the freezer] But to my delight, I have noticed we have a small clump of Michaelmas Daisies bringing a splash of purple to the garden since our return from Sicily.[picture 4 below]
Other unexpected delights in the garden this week - I found some lemon balm [picture 1] growing behind the shed [I love lemon balm] Somebody please advice me - if I dig it up and replant it with my other herbs in the raised bed now, will it die? Should I just leave it, and transplant it in the spring, or what?
Picture 2 is the fuchsia planted last summer, which I thought had died. It has suddenly burst forth into glorious pink blossom. Very happy about that - I hated leaving my lovely big pink fuchsia bush back in Kirby [a gift from our late friends George and Ellen]
Pictures 3 and 6 are my geraniums from the little tub on the patio. Margaret said that if I picked off the dead blooms, more would grow. So I did - and they have! Picture 5 - being optimistic here - we were given some bulbs on our Wedding Anniversary in August. Hoping for a pretty display in the spring.
“The Michaelmas Daisies, among dede weeds,
Bloom for St Michael's valorous deeds.
And seems the last of flowers that stood,
Till the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude.”
The Feast of St. Simon and Jude is 28 October. The act of
giving a Michaelmas Daisy symbolises saying farewell, perhaps in the same way
as Michaelmas Day is seen to say farewell to the productive year and welcome in
the new cycle.
Bob and I have noticed that it is significantly warmer down here in Dorset, and Autumn seems to be arriving a little later. What's the weather like where you are?
Beware of lemon balm as it is rather invasive. I would be inclined to treat it as mint and contain it in some way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that advice, Pam. I do keep my mint in a pot. I shall do the same with the lemon balm.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about plants except that you could take a cutting and put it in water and when it has roots, pot it (worked for me) and then if you transplant the whole bush and it dues, youve got a back up plan. But I think it grows like a weed!x
ReplyDeleteStaggering from my bed to the laptop.....you could keep the lovely lemon balm in a pot, but it does not like frost, so put it somewhere sheltered. You could dig it up and replant also. I have never found it to be that invasive, not like mint.
ReplyDeleteHope you are beginning to feel better. It's a really debilitating illness. I suspect this clump has survived simply because it's been in a sheltered spot behind the shed. I think I may leave it there over the winter. Thanks for the advice. Now go back to bed with a hot drink!!
DeleteYour flowers are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCold as of this morning. The air feels empty!
ReplyDelete