The spring holidays are coming! How and from what to knit a Easter whip?

Easter wicker for pom poms

Since ancient times, willows have been a symbol of spring. For centuries, people believed that willow wands blessed on Palm Sunday had special powers and that the Good Friday can willow wand open the ground and the rock and show the treasure. Girls used to go and comb their hair under a big willow tree on this day, so that they would have long and beautiful hair. Knitting pom poms is supposed to be done on White Saturday – on this day it is proper to paint and decorate eggs. At Easter Monday then the men and young men go around and “rejuvenate” their wives and girls. It is also interesting to note that once the pommel is knitted, it is only properly decorated once with a white ribbon, more color then are supposed to add whipped girls and women. The history of pomlázka is very long and according to experts it used to be part of the celebration of the spring solstice. Verified references to pomlazka date back to the 14th century and, in addition to pomlazka, they also mention the pouring of cold water.
Spring traditions are particularly associated with the Willow Grovewhose twigs with buds are popularly called cats, the white willow with interesting colourful cultivars and of course basket willow. It is used not only for baskets and pom poms, but also for other useful items. And where to look for basket weaving willow? It is traditionally planted on the edges of rivers, ponds and still waters. Few people may know that it also rods of crickets can be used in the spring season similarly to willow wicker. In addition, leaflets are flatter and stronger, which may increase their usefulness for knitting Easter pom poms. Several species and cultivars grow in our countryside and gardens, such as the distinctive red-coloured cultivars of the Asian white candle or the the domesticated blood candle, which offers unusual colours as well as leaf shapes.

Herbs and wild plants help fight spring fatigue

The end of winter and the beginning of spring is often associated with general physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Our organism suffers from a lack of exercise and vitamins. This condition is often referred to as spring fatigue. During this period, we should therefore enrich our diet with more sprouted cereal grains, fresh vegetables, especially cabbage, horseradish, garlic. Also suitable are spring salads prepared or seasoned with young leaves of certain herbs, e.g. chicory leaves, dandelions, dandelion, spoonbill or even daisies. An important component of spring herbal cures is also stinging nettle. It promotes the production of red blood cells and is high in minerals and vitamins. It can also be made into a tasty spinach or soup and, together with bear garlic and parsley, makes an ideal combination to flavour traditional Easter stuffing.

Spring tips for gardeners

Gardeners can plant carrots in late March and early April sow carrots, parsley, parsnips, but also onions. Of course also radishes, peas, lettuce and dill. It is best to plant pre-grown lettuce and lettuce seedlings in outdoor beds. In the bed we can sow spring bulbs, spinach or garlic. For annuals that don’t mind frost, you can plant blackberries, sedges, marigolds, poppies, peas directly into the bed. We prefer to pre-grow the more sensitive species in the greenhouse. In early spring, you also need graft the stone fruits and kernels, clear the lawn of moss and weeds and reseed bare spots. Once the snow and frost are gone, it’s time to fertilise the strawberries. Slowly get ready for pruning fruit treessuch as pear and apple trees. Peach, apricot and plum trees will be pruned when they start to fruit.