- Author: Shannon Wolfe
Wassailing was an old country tradition that took place on Twelfth Night or "Old Christmas Eve," (January 6) especially in areas where cider apples were grown. Right before dark the wassail (spiced ale or hard cider topped with roasted apples) would be prepared and ladled into the special wassail bowl (similar to a punch bowl with handles). The village would gather at the orchard after dark with the wassail on hand and proceed to bang pots, shoot off guns, and make a racket to frighten away any evil spirits that could still be lurking about on this last night of Christmas. This commotion would also help begin to "wake up" the trees from their winter hibernation. The trees were blessed with thanks and urged with rhyming chants to produce an even better crop in the new year. The oldest, most venerable tree's health would be "toasted" with a piece of wassail-soaked bread or cake placed in its branches.
If wassail was left over after regaling the trees, then the ceremonies would conclude with the villagers quenching their own thirst before returning home. In some areas, the young people would go from house to house in the village, singing wassail songs and receiving small gifts or treats in return.
Wassail is an old Middle English contraction of waes hael, meaning "be health" or "be whole," that was derived from the old Norse ves heill "to be healthy." The reply to waes hael was drinc hael, or "drink and be healthy." The modern expression "hale and hearty" shares the same roots.
If you would like to "toast" to your own crop of apples, here is a recipe to make your own wassail:
A Swinging Wassail
1 quart ale
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 or 6 pieces cracked ginger or 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
2 cups sherry wine
Juice and thinly pared rind of 1 lemon
Sugar, to taste
2 slices toasted bread (if desired)
6 or 8 baked crab apples or 2 or 3 baked large apples
* This recipe can be made non-alcoholic by replacing the ale and sherry with apple cider. Another way to do wassail is to have the punch-mixture be alcohol free and have whisky or champagne available on the side for people to add as they please.
** English Farmer's Wassail - substitute hard cider for ale and 1 cup dark rum for sherry.
Heat ale in saucepan until just about to boil. Stir in spices, sherry, lemon juice, slivered rind and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves then cover and simmer over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not boil at any time. Remove from heat and either pour into punch bowl or individual cups and add toast (if desired) and apples.
Recipe adapted from Visions of Sugarplums by Mimi Sheraton, 1981
Image: Wassailing the Apple Trees With Hot Cider in Devonshire on Twelfth Eve, artist unknown
Advice from the Help Desk of the
UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County
As explained in the earlier blog, without adequate chill hours and depending upon the fruit tree, blossoming can be erratic and fruit set can be significantly reduced. Our earlier blog provides lots more information on the importance of chill hours for your fruit trees. The previous blog also explains how you may be able to estimate the chill hours in your garden from the UC CIMIS weather stations and possibly even down to your neighborhood using Private Weather Station data available on the web (see the blog comments and the web's GetChill.net).
Most likely as a consequence of the ongoing drought, winter last year (2014-2015) was considered a “warm winter” compared to our “normal” winters. Chill hours were quite reduced for most of the County and many deciduous fruit trees had erratic blossoming and poor fruit set. (Note: the data for the Concord CIMIS station is somewhat counter to this. As of the posting of this blog, we don't have an answer to that and are still looking into the reported data consistency).
So, what about this winter? Is it or will it be cold enough for good fruit production by your deciduous fruit trees? We reviewed the CIMIS data for this winter from November 1st through Saturday, December 26th. (What else would a Master Gardener be doing the day after Christmas?) The table below is the results of that analysis.
Station & |
Chill Hours <45OF |
|||
Nov 1st - |
Average |
Seasonal |
||
2015 |
2014 |
2010-2014 |
2010-2014 |
|
Brentwood #47 |
339 |
82 |
319 |
837 |
Concord #170 |
485 |
725? |
490 |
1102 |
El Cerrito #213 |
186 |
13 |
89 |
191 |
Moraga #178 |
630 |
265 |
443 |
1160 |
Pleasanton #191 |
489 |
164 |
419 |
1030 |
Except for the above-noted inconsistency of the Concord CIMIS station, the data would indicate that half way through the chill hour “period” we are seeing a typical “cold winter” with a good prognosis that if the “norm” holds, we should see adequate chill hours. However, there are many factors at play in that forecast. For example, another warm winter will keep the chill hours down as will clear weather that will also bring warm daytime temperatures but countered with cold night temperatures.
You can also check GetChill.net and possibly see what your nearby PWS chill hours are. Use of the PWS data comes with a caveat though that the data is often not as complete as the UC CIMIS stations.
Are you a gambling gardener? Is it going to be a cold or warm winter? Are we going to get enough chill hours to have a successful fruit set… let alone enough water?
Help Desk of the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County (SIM)
Note: The UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa's Help Desk is available year-round to answer your gardening questions. Except for a few holidays, we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 75 Santa Barbara Road, 2d Floor, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. We can also be reached via telephone: (925) 646-6586, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/ MGCC Blogs can be found at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/HortCoCo/ You can also subscribe to the Blog (http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/blogroll.cfm).
/span>/span>/span>Garden Advice from the Help Desk of the
UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County
Description of the client's problem:
Advice from the Help Desk:
Crows have become more prevalent in Contra Costa County in the past 15 years, mainly moving in from the decreasing agricultural areas of east County. They are large (17 to 21 inches long) and intelligent birds. Crows are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders that eat a wide assortment of foods, such as grain crops in agricultural fields, seeds and fruits, insects including pest species like lawn grub larvae, bird eggs, earthworms, fish, amphibians, reptiles, carrion and road kill, and a variety of human-associated food, ranging from pet food to garbage.
If they are digging in your lawn, here is a link to information from the University of California on how to control lawn insects: http://www.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7476.html. Some treatments may not completely take care of the problem and there are other pests, such as raccoons and skunks, that may be causing the damage.
Scare tactics can be effective in dispersing crows. Frightening devices include loud sounds and motion-sensing water sprinklers. In a residential neighborhood you probably want to avoid noise rockets, so the motion-sensing sprinklers are your best bet. These are attached to a hose (one model has its own reservoir) and when it senses motion, it fires off high-pressure water. Some also emit ultrasonic sound but birds don't hear at that frequency so it is probably not helpful. You can do an Internet search for “motion sensing sprinklers” or you may also find them at a local nursery, hardware store or home improvement store.
Farmers have been trying to protect their fields from crows and other birds for centuries. One method is to stretch a cord or a fine wire at intervals across a field at heights about six to eight feet above the ground. Aluminum or cloth strips can also be tied to the wire. The reason why this works is not entirely clear, but the wire appears to represent an obstacle that is difficult for a flying bird to see, especially when rapid escape may be necessary. You might try temporarily stringing lines above your lawn to see if this will deter them. Another website that may be of interest is: http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/AmericanCrows.asp.
Crows are very intelligent birds and many have become habituated to people and our attempts to discourage them. They have often lost their wariness and, unfortunately, may not respond to any of these suggestions. If you find a new and effective technique, please let us know.
********************************
Editor's Addendum: In reviewing and preparing this blog, I also reviewed a recent web interview at http://awaytogarden.com/the-gifts-of-the-crow-with-john-marzluff/ specifically about crows by the noted ornithologist Dr. John Marzluff, professor of wildlife sciences at the University of Washington. My take-away message from the interview is that you have a formidable and intelligent garden opponent and friend in the crow. I highly recommend the web interview.
********************************
Help Desk of the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County (SEH)
Note: The UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa's Help Desk is available year-round to answer your gardening questions. Except for a few holidays, we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 75 Santa Barbara Road, 2d Floor, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. We can also be reached via telephone: (925) 646-6586, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/ MGCC Blogs can be found at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/HortCoCo/ You can also subscribe to the Blog (http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/blogroll.cfm).
- Author: Shannon Wolfe
The First Day of Winter - Moving Towards Longer Days
Today, December 21, is the Winter Solstice. That means a couple of things: today is the shortest day of the year, tonight is the longest night of the year, and today is the first day of Winter. Some people bemoan winter, but really winter means spring is right around the corner! Besides, us gardeners need some time off! In days gone by winter was celebrated and fire was used to celebrate winter, secure good fortune, ensure fertility for livestock, and bountiful crops in the new year.
The smaller household Yule log was usually burned during the Twelve Nights of Christmas, or for at least a minimum of twelve hours. The wood of the Yule log itself was steeped in special powers: the prior year's ashes were strewn over the fallow fields during the Twelve Days of Christmas to ensure the vigor of next year's crops; the number of sparks when the log was stoked predicted the number of calves, piglets, chicks, etc. in the spring; a piece of the log's charred remnants was saved to protect the house from lightning during thunderstorms - to name just a few beliefs! The charred remnant was finally used to kindle the new log at the beginning of the next Twelve Days.
In some places, a massive candle was burned instead - its light must not go out on its own or the luck of the family would be "blown away." In other areas, bonfires were lit on Twelfth Night and, in simulation of the life-giving power of the sun, villagers ran with blazing torches throughout the fields and orchards to promote a good harvest.
The Yule Log is one of the most deep-rooted and widespread customs still enjoyed today - from the more traditional Yule Logs still burned in families' fireplaces to the buche de noel cake decorated to look just like a log ready for the fire, to the televised burning Yule log broadcast on Christmas for those without a fireplace of their own.
Advice From the Help Desk of the
UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County
MGCC's Help Desk Response: Thank you for your call requesting information on pomegranate tree propagation. The answer to your question is yes! You can take cuttings soon (February in our area), root them and make (eventually) fruiting trees to give to your neighbors. And with some care, it doesn't appear to be too hard. Lucky neighbors!
Following is a link to an excellent and free downloadable “book” on pomegranates on the University of California website, "The Incredible Pomegranate”. Chapter VI, starting on page 65 provides detailed instructions on taking cuttings and rooting them successfully. There is also a wealth of information on all aspects of the pomegranate, from growing to health benefits and recipes. http://ucanr.edu/sites/Pomegranates/files/164443.pdf
THE INCREDIBLE POMEGRANATE - University of California ucanr.edu THE INCREDIBLE POMEGRANATE PLANT & FRUIT By Richard Ashton With Barbara Baer & David Silverstein Third Millennium Publishing A Cooperative of Writers and Resources |
MGCC wishes you well with your pomegranate propagation project… and Happy Holidays too!
Help Desk of the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County
Noe: The UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa's Help Desk is available year-round to answer your gardening questions. Except for a few holidays, we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 75 Santa Barbara Road, 2d Floor, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. We can also be reached via telephone: (925) 646-6586, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/ MGCC Blogs can be found at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/HortCoCo/ You can also subscribe to the Blog (http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/blogroll.cfm).
/table>