Once again it is March and our weather is colder than it was in February! Perhaps as this is the month where we all are Irish, there are some shenanigans going on, perhaps initiated by the little people. So what do you do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Read on and learn some lore, celebrate a little differently or perhaps even become a little bit more Irish.
We will start with a wee bit of history. Back in the days of Queen Victoria the shamrock became a symbol of rebellion against the oppression of the Crown. In fact, the queen made it a capital crime to wear the shamrock on military uniforms and those who dared could be punished by death. Hence, the phrase for those who display the shamrock proudly on one's clothing as the "wearing of the green.”
A good lot of that happened early in the 19th century when the economy deteriorated and the population was growing rapidly. During the 1840s when the Great Famine occurred, more than two million people left Ireland with a hopeful destination of America. Many of these did not survive the journey due to starvation and disease during the journey. However, those who did make it to Canada, like other immigrant settlers, persevered in the face of adversity and established themselves in all areas of Canadian life. The contribution of Irish traditions and folklore add colour to Canada’s rich cultural diversity.
Perhaps the richest Irish tradition currently celebrated is St. Patrick's Day. Many Canadians will brave the cold and shiver along with others during a St. Patrick's Day parade. Montreal is the site of the oldest parade that celebrates the green. If you don't have this option, what are you planning to do to celebrate this auspicious day?
If you are not into the green beer and pub-like festivities, then might I suggest making your St. Patrick's Day a little bit greener. A simple idea for all ages is to secure a pot that it suitable for growing a small plant. The only important thing is for the pot to have drainage. Spend a bit of time making it look Irish by attaching coloured shamrocks and other Irish-like lore. Fill the pot to three-quarters full with potting soil. You will want to lightly cover the surface with wheat seed. If you soak the wheat seed overnight (12 hours) it will begin to grow more quickly than using dried wheat seed. Sprinkle loose soil over the seeds and gently firm the soil. Ensure that the soil is kept evening moist but not wet. Place in a bright window.
Continue to water as the wheat grass grows. When it reaches a height of four to six inches you can use scissors to cut the grass a little above the level of the soil. Grass should be juiced immediately for the best nutritional value. Grass can be left to regrow and may be harvested again but the nutritional value of subsequent cuttings will be lower than the initial cutting.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you. May your hands always have work to do and may the sun always shine on your windowpane. May your crops grow well, the harvest be bountiful and may your heart be happy and full.
— Hanbidge is a horticulturist with the Saskatoon School of Horticulture and can be reached at 306-931-GROW(4769); by email at [email protected] or check out our website at www.saskhort.com.
