Beyond the first day of spring, a number of holidays are observed, including Palm Sunday, World Wildlife Day, World Water Day, and more. The Old Farmer’s Almanac addresses fun facts and
folklore associated with St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, noting that this date is the
traditional day for planting peas, even in the snow! Old-time farmers also urged
planting cabbage seeds on this day, but also believed that to enhance their
growth, you needed to plant them while wearing your nightclothes!

Not so long ago we considered the sighting of a robin as the harbinger of spring.
Now, robins seem to be overwintering in our area, as weather patterns are
changing. A welcome sight currently is the emergence of crocus flowers, pushing
through snow to signal the end of winter. Crocus symbolism focuses on hope,
rebirth, joy and fresh beginnings. Importantly, they provide vital early food for
pollinators, such as bees.

The crocus is a member of the iris (Iridaceae) family, which grows from a corm,
not a bulb, and bears yellow, purple, or white flowers. The flowers are easy to
naturalize, planting them in lawns or gardens in the fall so that they multiply and
spread over time. A beautiful blanket of flowers in early spring appears before the
grass requires mowing. It is crucial to wait to mow until mid-summer so that
foliage can feed the corms for the following year. The easiest way to naturalize
them is to toss the corms onto the lawn and then plant them where they land.

We’re dealing with a combination of warm, cold or rainy weather, prompting a
continuation of our reading habits and museum visits. Here is a brief round-up of
a few springtime events, and books to fill this gap.

Novels for Garden Lovers
The Walled Garden, Robin Farrar Maass
The Seed Keeper, Diane Wilson
The Botanist’s Daughter, Kayte Nunn
The Heirloom Garden, Viola Shipman
The Garden of Evening Mists, Tan Twan Eng

BGC’s next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, March 17, with the meeting topic “Through the
Eyes of the Plants.” The program will be presented by Cindy Larson Moura, co-owner of Prickly
Ed’s Cactus Patch and Plant Emporium. Attendees will be introduced to the characteristics of

twelve distinctive Northeast native plants and explore how they can weave into the tapestry of
residential landscapes. As we continue to focus on native plants and their importance in our
gardens, native plants will be discussed as contributors to the beauty of our gardens and
particularly, their important contributions to the environment. These 12 plants will be
presented as having remarkable potential to enhance the vitality of home landscapes, both
visually and ecologically. Listen to the plants’ stories and learn their roles within the ecosystem
and the ideal conditions they require to thrive. This presentation will help gardeners to make
informed decisions about selecting and nurturing native plants in our own gardens.

The meeting will be open to non-members at 1:00PM at the Barrington Public Library’s Salem
Family Auditorium. BGC meetings are open to the public at no cost and are normally held on
the third Tuesday of the month except December, and May through August.
For more information about attending meetings or becoming a club member, send an email to
BarringtonRIGardenClub@gmail.com or visit the club’s website:
BarringtonRIGardenClub.org.