Can you believe February is just around the corner? 🩷
And that means Groundhog’s Day!
Do you know how this funny holiday got on every US calendar?
It is believed to have been started by Germans who settled in Pennsylvania back in the 1800s.
They brought over the tradition from their homeland, where villagers would keep an eye out for badgers peeking from their dens in early February. 🦡
Just like us, after weeks of cold, dark days, the villagers were desperate for any sign that spring was on its way!
They believed that if the badger saw its shadow when it poked out of its den, then six more weeks of cold winter weather were on its way.
But if badger didn’t see his shadow, then spring was coming soon! 🙏🏼
The Germans didn’t find any badgers in Pennsylvania, so they resorted to watching groundhogs (or woodchucks) to tell them the fate of what lay ahead.
Though even before people started using animals to predict weather, the celebration of Candlemas was held on February 2, when Christians would bring candles to church for a special blessing that they believed would then bless their homes for the remaining winter ahead. 🕯️
So does the celebration of Groundhog Day/Candlemas mean that maybe we are on the downhill side of winter?!
On some farms right now, the lambs are being born.
Tiny bear cubs are arriving in dens deep under the snow.
We might not see it yet, but spring is quietly getting ready!
Want to celebrate with the kids?
Here’s a simple Groundhog Day craft you can do at home—perfect for little hands!
Hang in there! Warmer days are coming!
P.S. Spring is definitely coming at the greenhouse! The smell of all this fresh soil is making my fingers itch to get back in the garden. 🌱 Here’s what we’ve been up to during these chilly days.
I can’t wait to see what we grow this year!
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