Folklore is defined as being the traditional beliefs, customs, legends and stories of a community that are passed from generation to generation by word of mouth.
The term "folklore" was coined by British writer William John Thoms in 1846. While there is usually no scientific proof to back any of the stories told, they are still fun, very interesting, and often useful to remember. Most importantly they are probably passed on to the next generation with the best of intentions.
I'm sure everyone has heard at least one old tale, maybe from your grandfather or grandmother, great aunt or uncle, or maybe just from older folks trying to give you some well-intended advice. Let's take a look at some folklore for gardeners; it could help you grow!
1. You should always plant potatoes on Good Friday. (My Mammy--my grandmother--told me that one.)
2. If vegetables sound alike don't plant them together. Think potato - tomato.
3. Bury nails around the roots of your Hydrangeas to produce blue blooms.
4. Never say "thank you" when someone shares flower or plant cuttings, if
you do they will die. (Also never say thank you when someone gives you
knives as a gift) Mammy told me both of these too.
5. According to old-timers you should plant corn when the leaves on oak
trees are the size of a mouse's ear.
6. Talk to your plants and they will grow better. Another one from my
Grandmother :-)
7. Give the scarecrow in your garden a hat to keep them cool in the sun and
your garden will grow better.
8. Once you give a scarecrow something to wear you can never take it back
or you will have bad luck.
9. You can go barefoot and start planting when oak leaves are the size of
squirrel ears.
10. If the sun shines while it is raining it will rain at the same time tomorrow.
11. Whirlwinds of dust (or dust devils) are a sign of a dry spell coming.
12. The first thunder in the spring wakes up the snakes.
13. Foxgloves grow where fairies flourish, it is good luck to invite them to your
garden by planting them.
14. Plant above ground crops during the waxing moon and plant below ground
crops during the waning moon.
15. Planting fennel wards off evil.
16. Planting peppers while you are mad will make the peppers hotter.
17. Never put your scarecrow out before Easter and always take it down and
burn it before midnight on Halloween.
18. You should always talk to the bees in your garden, this encourages them to
be more productive and happier bees make sweeter honey.
19. Anything planted on the 1st day of spring will live.
20. Tomatoes should be planted on Memorial Day.
21. Grass won’t grow where human blood has been spilled.
22. Don’t plant crooked rows because God wants everything straight as an
arrow.
23. Always plant three seeds to each hill - one for the good, one for the crow
and one to grow.
24. Flowers that bloom out of season are evil.
25. Trees that bloom twice in one year will have a bad crop.
26. Plant green beans when the apple trees are in bloom.
27. Sow peas when daffodils bloom.
28. Plant melons when the irises bloom.
29. Plant three crops of parsley: two for the devil and one for yourself.
30. It is bad luck to plant anything on the 31st of any month.
31. It is bad luck to carry a garden hoe into your house.
32. Don’t water your plants in the middle of a hot day or you will scorch them.
33. Use banana peels and eggshells in your garden for healthier plants.
34. Never plant your rows so close that angels can’t fly.
35. If your plant’s leaves flip upward toward the sky it is getting ready to rain.
Please feel free to share any folklore you have heard in the comments. Thank you for reading. HAPPY GARDENING EVERYONE!!
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