February

It was claimed many years ago that February was one of the most important months of the year. There are usually both frost and snow on this the second month of the year and gardeners would look forward to the bitterness as a purifier of the land. The name itself is said to mean purification. There are also many superstitions that have evolved over the ages that relate to this time of the year. It was once alleged that if you listened closely and heard a thunderclap during this month then you would see something wonderful during the Summer months that followed … so I’m listening intently … for who could resist this kind of promise?

Candlemas Day falls on 2nd February and on this special day gardeners of years gone by claimed that if the sun shone and the weather was good then the Winter would return with a vengeance. There is an ancient rhyme that was commonly recited:

“If a Candlemas Day be fair and be bright

Then the Winter shall have another flight ……

But – if Candlemas Day be clouds and be rain

Then Winter be gone and will not come again!”

“A love that comes this cold, wet month will warmly last a lifetime.” Anon