There's something in the air, don't you think? A feeling of warmth, a surge of energy, just like the flora and fauna that are chirping again and breaking through the snow. This time of year is commonly associated with spring cleaning, but it's much more than that. The Sauvage-s team is dedicated to telling you more. You'll see, it's fascinating!
1. Astronomically, what is it?
2. The garden returns!
3. Good spring health
4. What do we harvest?
5. It's time to celebrate!
1. Astronomically, what is it?
We mentioned it briefly in the last article: seasons are the result of the Earth's rotation around the Sun (what is called revolution) and its 23.5° tilt. It's a story of light and angle of rotation relative to the sun!
Today, we will talk about the March equinox, spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. This year, it falls on March 20, but sometimes it's March 21 or 22.
Equinoxes are the times of the year when neither hemisphere is tilted preferentially towards the Sun: days and nights are equal because the Sun strikes at the equator, i.e., in the middle of the Earth. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a diagram to help you understand the concept!
https://www.alloprof.qc.ca/fr/eleves/bv/sciences/les-saisons-et-la-revolution-de-la-terre-s1394
2. The garden returns!
In terms of weather, spring is often chaotic in Quebec: temperatures and sunshine increase, but there are still snowfalls and frost. It is also a period when abundant rains and snowmelt can cause floods. The first half of spring therefore hardly allows a return to the garden. Never mind: this gives more leeway to plan the season!
March-April
It's high time to order your seeds and start indoor sowing. You just need to find a window preferably facing east or use LED lamps to allow for balanced seedling growth. They will then produce robust young plants to transplant into the garden after the last frost. An interesting article from Jardins de l’écoumène will help you choose your lighting.
Agastache shoots under the lamp (2024) @sauvage-s
April-May
Depending on the snowmelt, you can start preparing your garden between April and May. The goal is to aerate the soil, loosen it after the previous growing year and the pressure due to the weight of the snow throughout the winter. It's also time to amend your soil, that is, to make it fertile, according to its needs. We share with you an article from Kokopelli that will help you choose the right method. You can also remove small plants you don't want to harvest (weeds) from your future planting rows. Keeping them around the rows will make a beautiful green garden and help keep the soil moist in summer. You will then need to mulch generously around your plants, then regularly mow the weeds or use a brush cutter before they go to seed.
May-June
After the last frost, often between early and mid-May in zone 6a (near Montreal), it will be time to start transplanting in the garden. It is recommended to wait a good two weeks after this period for the soil to warm up and for there to be genuinely less chance of a late frost. You can then plant your young and robust seedlings as well as your direct sowings! The following weeks will be important. You will need to:
- ensure the seedlings are doing well,
- ensure direct sowings are watered regularly to allow germination,
- mulch around the plants to prevent them from being smothered by weeds and to preserve soil moisture.
What a joy to see plants making themselves at home and thriving!
As you will have understood: spring is a crucial season for gardening and it requires energy to carry out each step.
3. Good spring health
As spring is more physically demanding, you need to support your body so that it can meet the challenges of recovery after the famous winter break.
Be in shape to restart your garden well
The days are getting longer and nature is coming back to life: just like the sap rising in maple and birch trees, a surge of energy is at work in our bodies and minds! We take action because it's time to start realizing what was planned during the winter. Our first advice? Save some, don't burn through your "energy" capital because you will need it for the long haul.
Forest walk April 2024 @Sauvage-s
So that gardening doesn't become too difficult and you enjoy it, gradually return to physical activity. This also applies to people who don't garden, of course. Daily walks will get you sun and reactivate your muscles. You can also opt for a gentle program with diversified exercises: legs, abs, arms, stretches.
Once you start working the soil, remember to protect your back by keeping it straight and using your legs. The squatting position will be your best ally, so master it!
Diet
Spring is a transitional season and this is also reflected in the kitchen. Root vegetables and squash, preserves and frozen vegetables from the previous year sit alongside young shoots and the first vegetables of the year. We find radishes, asparagus, lettuce, watercress: all this crunch and greenery are good for you! You can make herb soups and green smoothies to enhance these first gifts from nature.
Obviously, we couldn't miss maple syrup! Did you know that it takes 35 to 40 liters of maple water to produce 1 liter of syrup? This very nutritious nectar goes well with both savory and sweet dishes. At Sauvage-s, we use it to round out tomato sauces, caramelize onions, sweeten smoothies and tofu or meat marinades, bind energy balls, etc. It's up to you to create according to your tastes and habits!
Useful Plants
In addition to physical exercise and diet, consuming certain plants will help support your body.
We often hear that in spring you need to purify, detoxify, cleanse. This is true, but the body already knows and does it on its own. The idea is to avoid taking plants that will over-stress organs due to an "excess of detox," which will lead to fatigue linked to a lack of nutrients.
Burdock, dandelion and red clover @freepik @Par Lezard Fleur
The goal is therefore to help it in its purifying mission, while encouraging the absorption of nutrients. We are talking about alterative plants here (remember their name, they are your new best spring friends!). They act long-term and deeply, by improving the overall functioning of the body. Let's mention dandelion, burdock, and red clover. You can couple them with an emollient (soothing) plant if you tend to dry out quickly (slippery elm, marshmallow, mallow).
We just talked about maple syrup, but the maple water from which it comes is very relevant because it is depurative, but also remineralizing and it is a general tonic. This mix of benefits is perfect for the season: we need to eliminate toxins accumulated during winter, strengthen our body and regain energy.
4. What do we harvest?
There are far more plants to get your hands on than during winter. You will still have to wait for the snow to melt, from April or May for the more southern regions.
In grassy areas, you can harvest vibrant flowers with dandelion (alterative), coltsfoot, and violet (respiratory system). At this time, the flowers and leaves are edible. It's also time to get nettle (general tonic), plantain (healing), garlic mustard (garlic taste and invasive so no qualms), sorrel (sour), horsetail (healing and remineralizing), and ground ivy (respiratory system).
Photo of fiddleheads, coltsfoot, balsam fir shoots
In the forest, spring holds beautiful surprises: fiddlehead ferns, buds (hawthorn, balsam poplar, spruces, larches) and young shoots (balsam fir, larches, spruces).
Walks from which you will probably return with provisions to "wild up" your dishes!
5. It's time to celebrate!
Pagan festivals linked to winter celebrated the gradual return of light with the birth of the god and the motherhood experienced by the goddess. With spring, it is the rebirth of nature with the blossoming of the god and goddess.
Ostara
During the spring equinox, we celebrate the return of life! We welcome all this energy, we enjoy the light and the return of warmth. We act! In pagan beliefs, the god becomes independent and learns. The goddess, meanwhile, becomes a young girl ready to seduce.
One of the traditions is to decorate eggs. If that reminds you of Easter, it's normal! Ostara comes from the name of the Germanic goddess of fertility (Eostre) to whom eggs were offered to benefit from her benevolence. We also eat egg-based dishes, so if you're not vegan, now is the time to honor them. Another tradition is to plant seeds, again in this movement of procreation, of renewal of life.
@freepik
Beltane
On May 1st, we're in the thick of it with the celebration of love and passion: the goddess, having become fertile again, forms a union with the now mature god. Incestuous relationships are very common in mythology, it's special we know that 😅
Light is very present with longer days. So there is traditionally a big fire on the program! It's also the time to take stock of the upcoming production season. A little custom we like: making flower crowns and garlands (hooray for life)!
That's it, we've told you a lot in this third article because spring is a very busy season! But don't forget to take it one step at a time and take good care of yourself.
Let's go!
FAQ
When does spring start in Quebec?
Spring officially begins at the March equinox, which is March 20, 21, or 22 depending on the year. In Quebec, however, the weather remains unpredictable until May: snow, frost, and thaws can alternate. It is generally considered that the gardenable spring truly begins in April-May depending on the regions.
What plants can be picked in spring in Quebec?
As soon as the snow melts (April-May), you can harvest dandelion, nettle, plantain, violet, coltsfoot, sorrel, horsetail, and ground ivy in grassy areas. In the forest, fiddleheads, hawthorn and balsam poplar buds, as well as young shoots of balsam fir and spruce are available.
When should I start indoor seedlings in Quebec?
Indoor seedlings are ideally started in March-April, depending on the plants. The goal is to transplant after the last frost, generally between early and mid-May in zone 6a (Montreal area). An east-facing window or LED lights are sufficient to get a good start.
What medicinal plants to take in spring?
In spring, so-called alterative plants are particularly recommended: dandelion, burdock, and red clover help the body in its natural purifying mission without over-stimulating it. They can be combined with emollient plants like marshmallow or mallow if you tend to dry out quickly.
What are Ostara and Beltane?
Ostara is the pagan spring equinox festival, celebrating the return of life and light. Beltane is celebrated on May 1st and marks the height of the season: love, passion, fires, and flower garlands. These two celebrations are intimately linked to the cycles of nature and gardening.
How to naturally care for your skin in spring?
Skin often emerges weakened from winter: cold, wind, and lack of humidity have taken their toll. In spring, focus on hydrating and repairing care based on local plants. Our natural creams and our blueberry lip balm are formulated to accompany this gentle transition.
