I can’t believe the thermometer, it says we are at 31 degrees at 8:00 AM we will take it. High today near 50. March coming in like a lamb. ENJOY and ENJOY more….
Question for you about spring equinox. Answer at the end of this writing
The March equinox occurs on March 20 at 11:33 A.M. EDT this year, ushering in the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere. At this time, the Sun’s position will be at which of the following coordinates on the celestial sphere?
A. 0 hour right ascension, 0° declination.
B. 6 hours right ascension, 23.5° North declination.
C. 12 hours right ascension, 0° declination
D. 18 hours right ascension, 23.5° South declination
Body
“March” is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. However, we think of it as the beginning of spring, as March brings the vernal equinox, the Full Worm Moon and the return of Daylight Saving Time! Here are important dates, gardening tips, and early spring recipes to celebrate the start of spring.
The Month of March
“March” is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. Read more about how the months got their names.
In the early Roman calendar, March (or Martius) was the first month of the calendar year. As March brought the first day of spring with the vernal equinox, it was the start of new beginnings.
March became the third month when January and February, which were added to the end of the Roman calendar around 700 BCE, instead became the first and second months around 450 BCE.
March Calendar
March 1 is Mardi Gras (aka “Fat Tuesday” or Shrove Tuesday), which is the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent begins on the following day, Ash Wednesday (March 2, 2022).
March 7 is Clean Monday. Also called Pure Monday, this day marks the beginning of Great Lent for followers of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church. This day is similar to Ash Wednesday of the Western Church.
March 8 is International Women’s Day, which is a day that not only celebrates the achievements of women and the progress made toward women’s rights, but also brings attention to ongoing struggles for equality around the world.
March 13 is the start of Daylight Saving Time, which begins at 2:00 A.M. that day. If your area observes it, don’t forget to “spring forward” and set the clocks one hour ahead, or you may find yourself an hour late to everything!
March 15 is the Ides of March! Legend surrounds this ill-fated day. Beware the Ides of March!
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. According to folklore, folks wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day because the saint used its three leaves to explain the Trinity.
March 20 brings about the March equinox—also called the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere—marking the beginning of spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date marks the autumnal equinox and the beginning of fall. On this day, the Sun stands directly over Earth’s equator.
March 29-31 are known as the Borrowing Days. According to lore, the last three days of March have a reputation for being stormy.
“Just for Fun” Days
Did you know that March is National Umbrella Month? Here are some more wacky things to celebrate this month:
March 3: What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
March 9: International Fanny Pack Day
March 13: National Ear Muff Day
March 16: National Panda Day
March 21: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
March 23: World Meteorological Day
March 31: World Backup Day
March Astronomy
The Full Worm Moon
March’s full Moon, the Worm Moon, reaches peak illumination on Friday, March 18, 2022, at 3:20 A.M. EDT. Look for it in the evening of Thursday, March 17, as the Moon rises above the horizon!
Why is it called the Worm Moon? Find out in our March full Moon guide!
In Like a Leo, Out Like an Aries
You may have heard the weather proverb, “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb,” which means that if the month starts off stormy, it will end with mild weather. There is, however, a different interpretation: The constellation Leo, the lion, rises in the east at the beginning of March and thus the month “comes in like a lion,” while Aries, the ram, sets in the west at the end of the month, and hence, the month “will go out like a lamb.”
The Start of Spring
The March equinox occurs on Sunday, March 20, 2022. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is known as the vernal, or spring, equinox and marks the start of the spring season. In the Southern Hemisphere, autumn begins.
At this time, the Sun crosses the celestial equator on its way north. Also on this day, the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west—a good thing to know if you get lost in the woods.
March Gardening
Planning a vegetable garden? We’ve done all the research for you—from how far to space plants to seeding dates to best crops to plant together.
Wondering when to plant what? Check out our free location-based Planting Calender to see when to start seeds and transplant in your area.
Just getting started with gardening.
Recipes for the Season
In celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, try making some traditional Irish food—from Irish Soda Bread to Corned Beef and Cabbage. See 20 St. Patrick’s Day recipes.
March is the start of spring! Enjoy this delicious Spring Risotto recipe, as well as this recipe for Cream of Fiddleheads Soup.
Now is the time for making maple sugar.
Everyday Advice
According to folklore, wear a sprig of rosemary in your hair to improve your memory!
March brings rain and mud! Sprinkle salt on carpets to dry out muddy footprints before vacuuming.
Birds & Fishing
According to Henry David Thoreau, the call of a bluebird is a song that “melts the ear, as the snow.”
Check birdhouses for damage and give them a spring cleaning before tenants arrive for the season.
Spring means fishing!
Folklore for the Season
A wet spring, a dry harvest.
On St. Patrick’s Day, the warm side of a stone turns up, and the broad-back goose begins to lay.
March comes in with adders’ heads and goes out with peacocks’ tails.
Thunder in spring, Cold will bring.
So many mists in March you see, So many frosts in May will be.
In beginning or in end, March its gifts will send.
Bleak winds assault us all around;
Dances aloft, or skims the ground:
See the school-boy—his hat in hand,
While on the path he scarce can stand.
Answer: A. B describes the Sun’s position during the June (summer) solstice; C, during the September (fall) equinox; and D, during the December (winter) solstice.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/content/month-march-holidays-fun-facts-folklore
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365