“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Extract from a poem ‘To Autumn’ by Poet John Keats
Autumn officially began here in Ireland this year on Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 (Astronomer’s calender) and will end on Monday, December 21st when nature takes on its winter sleep until once again to be awoken by spring in March 2021. [Note: September 1st to November 30th per traditional Meteorological calendar.]
As each year passes, we are wont to discuss our seasons metaphorically with regards to human living; someone is described as “being in the autumn of their years”, or someone is “no spring chicken”, or someone is “in the winter of their time” and “Summer is a time for the tasting of new melodies”.
This season, synonymous with ripened apples, multicoloured Fountain Grasses, Michaelmas and Black Eyed Susie Daisies, is most often referred to as “the fall of the year” since it coincides with the time when leaves fall from our abundance of trees, both native and foreign born.
In the past, as a boy, autumn always appeared to close that curtain, as it were, on our stage presentation of summer. While it was regrettably ‘back to school time’, for me back in the mid-20th century, it still remains my favourite season.
There were hazel nuts to collect. There were horse chestnuts (conkers) to be gathered, hardened (by soaking in vinegar), then the drilling/piercing and cording of same, in preparation for that anticipated conker fight. There were orchards to be raided and with Halloween on the horizon, there were turnips to be carved (few pumkins back then for such pleasures) and of course buttered barmbrack to be eaten.
The leaves on the trees in each late September begin to turn different colours, some to sepia tone brown; others to red, to gold, as the branches holding them, waving in our prevailing south-westerly breezes, took on a more skeleton look once more. Year after year these leaves pirouette downward to form mother nature’s rich colourful collage on our green grassy earth or on our cement coloured pavements below.
The government have confirmed that it is safe to proceed with Phase 1 of their plan to ease the COVID-19 restrictions, starting on Monday next.
Same progress, however, comes with a strict warning with same depending on all of us doing what we have been doing over the past number of weeks. Remember, as we come into contact with more people over the coming weeks, the opportunity for the virus to once again spread, greatly increases.
What is permitted under Phase 1?
Those working outdoors, like builders and gardeners will be able to return to work.
Some retail outlets – such as garden centres, hardware stores, electrical stores and repair shops for bicycles & motor vehicles can reopen.
Some outdoor sporting activities, involving small groups with a maximum of four people, will also be allowed.
Outdoor public sports amenities such as football and rugby pitches, tennis courts and golf courses can reopen, where social distancing can be maintained.
Outdoor public amenities and tourism sites, where people are “non-stationary” and can maintain social distancing, can reopen.
It will be possible to meet up to four friends and/or family from other households in an outdoor setting, while maintaining current strict social distancing.
Employees are only to go to work if your workplace is open and they can’t work from home.
Members of the public are also being urged to wear face coverings when on public transport and in enclosed spaces.
In a statement issued by the Government earlier this month, they stated: “As a country, we can only move from one phase to the next, if the virus stays under control between each phase.” Today they further reiterated that there remains a long-term need for social distancing, for good hand hygiene, for respiratory hygiene, regular cleaning and for people to stay at home and isolate immediately if found to be sick with similar virus symptoms.
“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” – William Shakespeare, [All’s Well That Ends Well.]
Lunaria(Common name “Honesty”)
The ‘Honesty’ to which I refer is not that distinguishing quality which insists that all things be dealt with in a morally correct fashion; rather I am alluding to that living organism of the kind exemplified by plant life in the form of ‘Lunaria’.
There are not so many of our plants which offer multiple visionary benefits to gardeners and plant lovers; but Lunaria (Latin meaning “moon-shaped”) and holding the more common name of “Honesty”, is most certainly one of these.
A simple European plant displaying purple or white flowers from mid-April to at least the end of May; ‘Honesty’ then gifts us with those round, flat, translucent seed pods, which can be used to brighten our indoor flower arrangements, over Christmas and through the dark winter months.
The plant’s common name ‘Honesty’ can be traced back to the 16th century, and the name possibly relates to its translucence seed-pods which resemble silver coinage.
The plant is known by many names. In South East Asia, the plant is called the“Money Plant” while in the USA it is known as “Silver Dollars” or “Chinese Coins”. In France it is recognised as Monnaie du Pape(“Pope’s money”), while in Denmark it is known as Judaspenge (meaning “Coins of Judas”), alluding to the bible story of Judas Iscariot. Latter was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, who received thirty pieces of silver for betraying Him in the garden at Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. [St. Matthew Chapter 26: Verses 44-50]
This biennial plant is easy to grow from seed and is suitable for cultivation in a shady or dappled area, or in a wildflower garden. ‘Honesty’ bears white or vivid violet flowers, which as already stated, convert to light brown, translucent, disc-shaped seed-pods; the skin of which falls away to release its seeds. This action now reveals a central membrane, which in turn offers that silvery sheen and its double benefit as a plant which can be easily dried.
How to prepare ‘Honesty’ for dried flower arrangements
When the seed pods are fully ripened, grasp the plant near the root, taking care not to crush, then pull the Lunaria plant entirely out of the ground, (yes roots and all).
Wrap the chosen plants together with kitchen twine or a rubber band and hang the stems upside down in a dry, airy place for several weeks. Best also to wrap an outer cover of newspaper, loosely, around the plants to protect them from dust.
When fully dried spread a newspaper and carefully remove the skins from the seed-pods, to collect the large visible flat seed. This in turn will reveal the attractive central silvery membrane.
Of course same can also be sprayed any colour, using aerosol spray paints if so desired; remembering to hold the spray-can well back from the dried coin shaped seed-pods.
With most people cocooning because of the Covid-19 virus pandemic, many Thurles residents have turned their hands to gardening, in order to ‘while away the hours’, until life gets back to some kind of normality.
Others have undertaken DIY projects which had been put on the long finger. This in turn has led to a grave shortage of paint within the community.
Can any supplier/provider help out here, while continuing to conform to government guidelines with regard to the current Covid-19 pandemic?
Any suppliers wishing to contact us, will have their contact info. passed on.
Today, Friday, 27th March 2020, should have been “Daffodil Day“.
Normally, today would have been a day when communities all over Tipperary and indeed Ireland, congregated to support people and families affected by the scourge of cancer.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic now raging across Ireland, it has become necessary to cancel such gatherings to protect lives. So, for those who can, why not connect with the link shown HERE and donate to help fund the Irish Cancer Society’s vital services and research.
“To Daffodils” By 17th-century English Lyric Poet and Cleric, Robert Herrick
Fair Daffodils, we weep to see You haste away so soon; As yet the early-rising sun Has not attain’d his noon. Stay, stay, Until the hasting day Has run But to the even-song; And, having pray’d together, we Will go with you along.
We have short time to stay, as you, We have as short a spring; As quick a growth to meet decay, As you, or anything. We die As your hours do, and dry Away, Like to the summer’s rain; Or as the pearls of morning’s dew, Ne’er to be found again. END
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