It's here: the summer season, so eagerly awaited by so many, has finally arrived! We smell the characteristic aromas of barbecues, of fires around which we chat happily, but also of flowers blooming in the sun; we hear the insects and birds composing sweet melodies that are so good to listen to when we wake up. And then we are amazed by all these colors and shapes! Want to dig with us to find out more about summer? Let's go!
1. Astronomically, what is it?
2. It’s happening in the garden!
3. Take care of yourself
4. What do we collect?
5. It's time to celebrate!
1. Astronomically, what is it?
It's the continuation of Earth's dance with the Sun. This time, we're talking about the June solstice, which represents summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. This year, June 20th marks the closest the northern tip of the planet's rotational axis will be to the Sun. So, it's the longest day, yay!
Here is a diagram showing that the sun's rays are concentrated in the north, hence the increased heat and sunshine at this time of year.
2. It’s happening in the garden!
By winter and spring, the bulk of the work has been done: choosing plants, planning the garden, sowing indoors, preparing the soil, transplanting, direct sowing, weeding, mulching, watering... Everything is in place! But there's still one important job left: maintenance.
It is indeed necessary to monitor the growth of the plants, to make sure that they do not lack anything, that they are not attacked by animals or diseases, to weed regularly and... to harvest!
Know that the plant has a purpose: to reproduce to ensure the sustainability of its species. So once you see the flowers appear, don't leave them too long because the next step is the production of seeds, and then the plant will die back (annual) or concentrate its energy in its roots (perennial). However, if you want to harvest leaves and flowers throughout the summer, you will have to prolong the pleasure by pruning the plants. This action will stimulate their growth. Calendulas, for example, can produce flowers from June to November, weather permitting!
Don't forget to make the most of your garden because it's in summer that the result of all this work is finally there: it's beautiful, it smells good, you feel proud contemplating this magnificent oasis. Take the time to rest there and listen to the birds while wandering your gaze along the rows: it's so revitalizing!
3. Take care of yourself
The summer season doesn't spare us. We want to be outside all the time, we often invite each other over, there's the excitement of festivals and other events, the garden and nature walks are a must... in short, it's madness for the body and mind! Our advice is to go with your energy, because it's just waiting to come out, but don't forget to rest. Reading or taking a nap in the shade of a tree, drinking a fresh herbal tea while watching the butterflies, listening to your favorite record and doing nothing else: that's also what life is all about!
Here are some good practices to protect the organ most affected by summer: the skin!
Ouch ouch ouch the sun
And yes, it's great and feels good to expose yourself to the sun from time to time, but in reality the key word is "moderation." Our star provides vitamin D, good humor, and it helps alleviate certain dermatological pathologies. However, it accelerates skin aging and is the cause of certain cancers.
So to avoid these inconveniences, here are some tips.
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Avoid prolonged exposure between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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Prefer shade most of the time and expose yourself outside the previously mentioned window.
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If you have no choice and have to stay in the sun for a long time, protect yourself with sunscreen (preferably mineral).
If you get sunburned, there are many plants that can help you: calendula, St. John's wort, comfrey, horsetail, and yarrow. In the form of pure macerates or macerates incorporated into balms or creams, they can help you heal. There is also aloe vera, which will deeply moisturize.
Oh, and put on a hat and sunglasses!
Ouch ouch ouch the bugs
It's often the thing our memory erases from one year to the next: we only remember the fullness of summer, forgetting the presence of biting insects. And yet, from June to September, they are indeed there.
We don't know of any truly effective natural products for repelling them. We've tried several products, and we also make them every year, using essential and plant oils known for their repellent properties. Unfortunately, they only work for a few minutes in the wood... That's why you can't find anything about them in our store yet!
Let's mention a few essential oils if you ever want to try them this summer: spike lavender, rose geranium, lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus, peppermint, Indian verbena.
Since we're against DEET, you've probably guessed it, we get bitten. But we have our OUF balm to the rescue! Basically, what your skin needs quickly once attacked by a bug are soothing plants that will help with healing. Calendula is again a good choice to help with healing, but also consider plantain, chamomile, and spike lavender, which will relieve the itching.
Food
Summer is the best time to enjoy the freshness and abundance of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The dishes are very varied, both in taste and color, and they're crunchy, juicy, and sometimes sweet: a real treat! We immediately think of salads, cold soups, and grilled meats. Be careful not to overdo the latter, as prolonged cooking at high temperatures creates toxic, potentially carcinogenic substances.
4. What do we collect?
Everything! Well, almost. You have to make a choice because everything grows in a short period of time. Here's a selection of some plants we like to collect in nature.
All summer long
Yarrow, sweet gale leaves, balsam fir, red clover, sweet feverfew, chamomile…
June
Raspberry leaves, Labrador tea flowers, horsetail, plantain, daisy buds…
July-August
Labrador tea leaves, willowherb flowers and leaves, sweet clover, St. John's wort, sweet gale, cornflowers, cloudberries, crowberry...
5. It's time to celebrate!
As you may have guessed, the pagan festivals of this season emphasize light and harvests.
Litha
The summer solstice, the longest day, celebrates the power of the Sun God. It is also an opportunity to rejoice in the bounty of the harvests that are just beginning.
To mark the occasion, bonfires are lit and meals are held late into the evening. According to beliefs, this is also a great time to harvest crops, as the plants are rich in beneficial properties.
Note that unlike Yule, which celebrates the gradual return of light, this is the beginning of the decline of the day.
Lughnasadh
August 1st is the harvest and sharing festival. In the heart of summer, we have (and will) be able to enjoy hearty meals and stock up for the year. This celebration is peaceful because we want to share, taste, and share.
A well-known activity: corn roasting! At its peak during this time of year, this sunny and playful plant is a great reason to get together. You can toss corn, make dolls, or just enjoy the grains together.
We've come to the end of this fourth article, "Let's Cultivate Ourselves." We hope you've learned a few things and that you'll enjoy this wonderful season. It requires a lot of energy, but it also gives a good dose: it's all a question of balance!
