Our Newsletter
march 2010
What gardener doesn’t experience at least a little shiver of joy at the first crocus? Tangible evidence of winter’s end, the crocus bloom heralds the arrival of spring!
Welcome, wild harbinger of spring!
To this small nook of earth;
Feeling and fancy fondly cling
Round thoughts which owe their birth
To thee, and to the humble spot
Where chance has fixed thy lowly lot.
- Bernard Barton, To a Crocus
The delicate chalice-shaped blooms of the crocus grow in shades of white, yellow, lavender, and purple and are cradled by its grassy leaves. While this hardy perennial is known for its spring blossoms, there are some of its 80+ species that bloom in fall. (Plant the spring-blooming variety in the early fall, and the fall-blooming in the spring.) These lovely plants grow two to six inches high and three to six inches wide, and prefer full sun to partial shade. A great drought-tolerant choice, the crocus prefers well-drained soil.
The name of the crocus comes from the Latin “crocatus,” meaning saffron yellow. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world and is harvested from the Crocus Sativus, a fall-blooming species. The inner portion of the flower is picked by hand and then dried, and the resulting saffron can be used as a mild seasoning in cooking, or as a bright yellow dye, paint, or ink.
Did you know?
- Homer referred often to the Goddess Eos as saffron-robed.
- An infusion of saffron is said to help enhance psychic abilities.
- Saffron was once used to dye the robes of royalty as a symbol of status and wealth.
- Rinsing sheets and blankets in an infusion of saffron (or even a whole crocus) is said to help bring strength to the body while one sleeps.
- Saffron has also been used to treat bladder, kidney and liver disorders, diabetes, and measles, and some modern studies are reported to have shown that it may help fight cancerous tumors and ease the discomfort of chemotherapy.
- Saffron has been used to treat recovering alcoholics and is said to help repair damage done to the brain by alcoholism.
- An infusion of saffron is said to help relieve depression.
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant." - Anne Bradstreet
march calendar of events
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1 National Pig Day 3 Peach Blossom Day 5 World Day of Prayer 8 International Women’s Day 10 Middle Name Pride Day 14 Daylight Savings! 15 New Moon 18 Goddess of Fertility Day 19 Happy Birthday, Patricia! 20 Spring Equinox 22 National Goof Off Day! 28 Something on a Stick Day 29 Full Moon; Storm Moon 30 Passover begins 31 Happy Birthday, Naneen! |
"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind
than to be hopelessly in love with spring."
- George Santayana
featured artist
craig riches
Craig Riches is a resident of Alabama and works magic with copper. YART features his wind spirals, but he also creates large spinning copper water features. Contact YART to inquire.
Hand crafted of copper, the "Prayer Wheel" creates a mesmerizing whirl of art. 14" x 4". One of a kind.
$240.00. Buy here!
View more by Craig...
Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" - Robin Williams
dance
"The last fling of winter is over ... The earth, the soil itself,
has a dreaming quality about it.
It is warm now to the touch; it has come alive; it hides secrets that in a moment,
in a little while, it will tell."
- Donald Culross Peattie
good news
Good News is a new feature in the YART newsletter with a focus on positive and uplifting news from around the world and in our own community. If you have some good news you'd like to share, please email your story to yart@taosgardenstyle.com.
click on these links:
Amma, 'Hugging Saint' of India, Draws Crowds of American Devotees
Healing Music Helps Mothers and Premature Babies
Hawk Flies High After Rehabilitation
Study Shows Good Deeds Fuel Good Deeds
Moscow Erects Monument to Kindness
"It is in this unearthly first hour of spring twilight
that earth's almost agonized livingness is most felt.
This hour is so dreadful to some people
that they hurry indoors and turn on the lights."
- Elizabeth Bowen
wellness on the web
click on these links:
Happiness is Good for Heart Health
”Love” Hormone May Help Autism Symptoms
Latest Research Shows Meditation May Hold the Key to Compassion
"March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievous smile,
mud on her shoes and a laugh in her voice."
- Hal Borland
march is women's history month
dear soup
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Dear Soup, Dear Frazzled, Namaste and Woof, If you have questions you'd like to ask Soup, send him an email at DearSoup@gmail.com. |
march poem
"Through all the frozen winter
My nose has grown most lonely
For lovely, lovely, colored smells
That come in springtime only.
The purple smell of lilacs,
The yellow smell that blows
Across the air of meadows
Where bright forsythia grows.
The tall pink smell of peach trees,
The low white smell of clover,
And everywhere the great green smell
Of grass the whole world over."
- Kathryn Worth, Smells
announcements
march hours
YART is open every day from 10-5:30. Closed Tuesdays.
los jardineros garden club of taos meeting
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010
9:30 a.m. Refreshments
10:00 a.m. Business meeting followed by program
Program: “Vegetable/Fruit/Herb/Flower Gardening in Taos: Meeting the Challenges”
A panel discussion followed by Q&A session with Gael Minton, Squash Blossom Farm/CSA
Suzanne Wollter, Willowwood Farm/CSA & market garden
Patrick and Mukta Webber, family garden
Location: Kurt’s Deli at Quail Ridge Inn
88 State Road 150
Directions: At first light after El Prado post office [aka Old Blinking Light intersection] turn right onto NM State Road 150. At 0.8 miles turn left into parking lot for Kurt's Deli (after Comanche Road and Quail Ridge Inn sign)
look for us at the taos home & garden expo
Date: March 27, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
