Celebrating the Seasons

The seasons are defined by the movements of the sun and moon. Since ancient times, agriculture events throughout the world have been closely tied to the seasons. 

The English Cave Community Garden celebrates the seasons with events designed for friends, neighbors, families and children.

Winter Solstice

In Winter, soils rest and next year's crops are planned.

Dates: around December 21
Colors: red, green, white
Items: mistletoe, evergreen wreath, lights, gifts, holly, Yule log, Yule tree
Rituals: personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends
Customs: wreaths, lights, gift-giving, resolutions

At the time of the suns lowest ebb, the shortest day, the dying sun sets for the last time lighting up the snow clad landscape.  This is the time that our resident Snow Queen shires with her full glory!

Join the English Cave Community Garden for our annual "Alegria on the Alley", celebrating 12th Nights with Wassailing the Apple trees and bid Christmas farewell and welcome Carnival!

Spring Equinox

Cover crops are turned into the ground . Then it's time for planting.

Dates: around March 21
Colors: green, yellow
Items: eggs, basket, green clothes
Rituals: new growth, new projects, planting
Customs: egg games, new clothes, egg baskets

The Spring Equinox is the point of balance of the waxing year when night and day are of equal length.

Join the English Cave Community Garden for Lisa Watson's annual Eggstravaganza! 

This Spring Fiesta in the garden is a big hit with the children.  There is Easter egg hunts, egg-in-the-spoon races, arts & crafts, a May pole dance, Piñatas and fun by all.

Summer Solstice

In summer is bustling with the rigorous work of strawberry, blackberry, broccoli, and carrot harvests.

Dates: around June 21
Colors: yellow, gold, rainbow colors
Items: Sun wheel and dials
Rituals: community, career, relationships
Customs: bonfires, feasting, celebrating with others

The Summer Solstice is the time of the longest daylight when the Sun reaches the apex of its yearly cycle. This triumph of its power is also the start of its decline, as the year changes from waxing to waning. Characteristic summer flowers in the heat assume a deeper hue, and the migrating birds of Spring who have now had their young will sport and play till they depart before the Autumn Equinox.

The Guys of the Garden started their three month tenure off early with....what else....cooking!  Either it be a good breakfast.  Real early!  One year on June 21st at 5:35am they serve a sun-shine breakfast in the garden. They marked the garden and share Solstice based knowledge and how it affects the way a garden grows. They year, a pig roast is being planned as a fund raiser for the garden.

Autumn Equinox

As the temperatures begin to drop and the days shorten, cover crops are planted and fields are mulched.

Dates: around September 21
Colors: orange, red, brown, purple, blue
Items: cornucopia, corn, harvested crops
Rituals: thanksgiving, harvest
Customs: preparing for cold weather, bringing in harvest

The Autumn Equinox is the point of balance in the waning year. It is the late harvest - of fruit & berries in the hedgerows. It is the time to give thanks for bounty and abundance received gratefully and stored for times of want during the coming winter months.

Of course Marian Amies is up for the challenge to provide an excellent "end of the year" event for our neighborhood children.  She sets the Garden a-glow with Gourds!  Children bring their jack-o-lantern designs on paper and the gardeners help them crave a pumpkin that they take home with them.

With a bonfire, toasted marshmallow and pumpkin carving....the perfect way to end our gardening season!

Last updated: Friday, November 14, 2008