FIRST NATIONS-- 13 MOONS
PEXSISEN - THE MOON OF OPENING HANDS THE BLOSSOMING OUT MOON (Mid March to Mid April)
All the plants and trees are opening up their hands again and the moon meets their welcome. All of nature is blooming. At this time the Brant Geese are dried. The Earth renews its strength.
CONNECTIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
April derives it name from the Latin word "Aprilis", the Roman goddess Aphrodite and the Greek word "to open". It should be noted that most countries in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate the arrival of Spring. At this time of year, the trees open their leaves in welcome, just as the Saanich People open their hands to show thanks.
WEATHER
There is less rain than previous months and it is warmer. This helps dry out the land and enables the drying and preservation of food.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
During this time, the Saanich Peoples hunted and dried XELXELJ (Brant Geese) for future use. Float nets were placed where the XELXELJ would feed along the tide line to capture the geese. Clams, Oysters and mussels were at their best that this time of year, too.
Cedar trees were fallen at this time of year to make boats, among other things. The warmer weather also caused the tree sap to run up the trees, making it easier to strip the bark. The fallen trees were then left to cure and the bark was saved for weaving into mats and clothing.
Before the Saanich People started to raise sheep, they would use goat and dog hair for spinning yarn and knitting. Their primary wool source was a breed of dog that was small, white and woolly. The warmer weather caused the dogs to shed and their hair would be gathered for carding and later, knitting.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
NATURE (Victoria Natural History Society & Swan Lake)
Some things to watch/listen for:
• Rufous Hummingbirds and Violet-green Swallows return.
• Anna’s Hummingbirds are already nesting.
• Blue Orchard Bees emerge and begin pollinating our fruit trees.
• Satin Flowers, Spring Gold, Skunk Cabbage, and Coltsfoot all begin to bloom.
• Mornings are filled with the sounds of birds singing to establish their territories.
• Pussy willows become noticeable on our native willow trees. To learn more about bees, wildflowers, or local birds, visit the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary: www.swanlake.bc.ca or 479-0211. They offer school programs and public programs on a great variety of topics.
Woodpeckers are incredibly important because of the nest cavities they excavate each year (usually in a dead tree). After the woodpecker finishes with it, these nest holes will be used by owls, swallows, chickadees, nuthatches, and wrens. You can help maintain habitat for these birds by leaving dead and dying trees whenever possible, and putting up nestboxes for birds. Please make sure the entrance holes are the right size to keep non-native House Sparrows and European Starlings out. This information can be found in the Naturescape Kit: www.hctf.ca/nature.htm
GARRY OAK
POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP
March--Not easily available-- Spring Break for half
Bee Watch/Support: Maybe first bee monitoring after march break (1 time, 1 hr), and looking at native veg establishment (1 time, 1 hr)
COURTYARD GARDEN
March
Plant in March/April
Harvest
Spacing
Notes
Peas
June
15cm
Can be planted in late Feb. Most schools want snap peas for fresh eating – look at what varietal you are planting. Peas require horizontal poles or netting to grab onto and climb –vertical posts will not work well as structures for peas to climb. There are some bush peas that do not require support.
Radish
May-June
20cm
Fastest vegetable to mature – as quick as 50 days
Pull and eat before it gets woody
Leaves, flowers and seed pods are also edible – toss into stir fries or mix in salads
Mesclun Greens
May-June
20cm
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow
Arugula
May-June
20cm
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow
Flowers also edible
Pac Choi/Choi Sum
May-June
20cm
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow
Flowers also edible
Spinach
May-June
30cm
More likely to survive through winter if covered
Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow
Cilantro
May-June
20cm
More likely to survive through winter if covered
Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow
Lettuce
May-June
30cm
More likely to survive through winter if covered
Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens
Select winter hardy lettuce varietals for best results
Kale
May-May
45cm
Can plant kale from March-Sept
Will grow and can be harvested all through the year
Cut bottom leaves where they attach to stem
Carrots
June-Oct
30cm
Recommend planting later than recommended on seed catalogue, to ensure harvest in fall when students return
Beets
June-Oct
30cm
Recommend planting later than recommended on seed catalogue, to ensure harvest in fall when students return
Potatoes
June
60cm
Plant early season varieties – Warba is a commonly available, high producing and tasty varietal
Great in a 5 gallon container – plant the tuber near the bottom and then slowly fill with dirt as the plant grows (just leave a few leaves above level of soil
Companion flowers
April-June
30cm
Edible flowers include: Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage
Good for bees: Catalpa, Catnip, Clover, Clumbine, Cox Parsley, Goldenrod, Impatiens, Irises, Lavender, Milkowrt, Pentstemon, Phacelia, Potentilla x Rose, Salvia, Saxifrages, Sorrel, Sunflowers, Violet
WORKSHOP IDEA: Soil Testing & Composting
PEXSISEN - THE MOON OF OPENING HANDS THE BLOSSOMING OUT MOON (Mid March to Mid April)
All the plants and trees are opening up their hands again and the moon meets their welcome. All of nature is blooming. At this time the Brant Geese are dried. The Earth renews its strength.
CONNECTIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
April derives it name from the Latin word "Aprilis", the Roman goddess Aphrodite and the Greek word "to open". It should be noted that most countries in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate the arrival of Spring. At this time of year, the trees open their leaves in welcome, just as the Saanich People open their hands to show thanks.
WEATHER
There is less rain than previous months and it is warmer. This helps dry out the land and enables the drying and preservation of food.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
During this time, the Saanich Peoples hunted and dried XELXELJ (Brant Geese) for future use. Float nets were placed where the XELXELJ would feed along the tide line to capture the geese. Clams, Oysters and mussels were at their best that this time of year, too.
Cedar trees were fallen at this time of year to make boats, among other things. The warmer weather also caused the tree sap to run up the trees, making it easier to strip the bark. The fallen trees were then left to cure and the bark was saved for weaving into mats and clothing.
Before the Saanich People started to raise sheep, they would use goat and dog hair for spinning yarn and knitting. Their primary wool source was a breed of dog that was small, white and woolly. The warmer weather caused the dogs to shed and their hair would be gathered for carding and later, knitting.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
- What animal hair or wool is used in other countries? (e.g. Llamas)
- What activities happen in Western culture's Gregorian calendar that are similar to those in the First Nations?
NATURE (Victoria Natural History Society & Swan Lake)
Some things to watch/listen for:
• Rufous Hummingbirds and Violet-green Swallows return.
• Anna’s Hummingbirds are already nesting.
• Blue Orchard Bees emerge and begin pollinating our fruit trees.
• Satin Flowers, Spring Gold, Skunk Cabbage, and Coltsfoot all begin to bloom.
• Mornings are filled with the sounds of birds singing to establish their territories.
• Pussy willows become noticeable on our native willow trees. To learn more about bees, wildflowers, or local birds, visit the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary: www.swanlake.bc.ca or 479-0211. They offer school programs and public programs on a great variety of topics.
Woodpeckers are incredibly important because of the nest cavities they excavate each year (usually in a dead tree). After the woodpecker finishes with it, these nest holes will be used by owls, swallows, chickadees, nuthatches, and wrens. You can help maintain habitat for these birds by leaving dead and dying trees whenever possible, and putting up nestboxes for birds. Please make sure the entrance holes are the right size to keep non-native House Sparrows and European Starlings out. This information can be found in the Naturescape Kit: www.hctf.ca/nature.htm
- 22nd World Water Day
GARRY OAK
POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP
March--Not easily available-- Spring Break for half
Bee Watch/Support: Maybe first bee monitoring after march break (1 time, 1 hr), and looking at native veg establishment (1 time, 1 hr)
COURTYARD GARDEN
March
- Direct sow (aka plant seeds outside in the ground) vegetables in planting season #1
- Transplant perennial herbs, shrubs and trees
- Soil care
- Before planting add either or both of:
- Nutrient dense compost
- Organic fertilizer
- Before planting add either or both of:
Plant in March/April
Harvest
Spacing
Notes
Peas
June
15cm
Can be planted in late Feb. Most schools want snap peas for fresh eating – look at what varietal you are planting. Peas require horizontal poles or netting to grab onto and climb –vertical posts will not work well as structures for peas to climb. There are some bush peas that do not require support.
Radish
May-June
20cm
Fastest vegetable to mature – as quick as 50 days
Pull and eat before it gets woody
Leaves, flowers and seed pods are also edible – toss into stir fries or mix in salads
Mesclun Greens
May-June
20cm
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow
Arugula
May-June
20cm
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow
Flowers also edible
Pac Choi/Choi Sum
May-June
20cm
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow
Flowers also edible
Spinach
May-June
30cm
More likely to survive through winter if covered
Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow
Cilantro
May-June
20cm
More likely to survive through winter if covered
Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow
Lettuce
May-June
30cm
More likely to survive through winter if covered
Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow
Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens
Select winter hardy lettuce varietals for best results
Kale
May-May
45cm
Can plant kale from March-Sept
Will grow and can be harvested all through the year
Cut bottom leaves where they attach to stem
Carrots
June-Oct
30cm
Recommend planting later than recommended on seed catalogue, to ensure harvest in fall when students return
Beets
June-Oct
30cm
Recommend planting later than recommended on seed catalogue, to ensure harvest in fall when students return
Potatoes
June
60cm
Plant early season varieties – Warba is a commonly available, high producing and tasty varietal
Great in a 5 gallon container – plant the tuber near the bottom and then slowly fill with dirt as the plant grows (just leave a few leaves above level of soil
Companion flowers
April-June
30cm
Edible flowers include: Nasturtium, Calendula, Borage
Good for bees: Catalpa, Catnip, Clover, Clumbine, Cox Parsley, Goldenrod, Impatiens, Irises, Lavender, Milkowrt, Pentstemon, Phacelia, Potentilla x Rose, Salvia, Saxifrages, Sorrel, Sunflowers, Violet
WORKSHOP IDEA: Soil Testing & Composting