In this episode I take a look at the festivals and customs of the month of May, both those that are still celebrated today and those that were celebrated by our ancestors but ave now faded away.

I look at Beltane and May Day and how the Christian church pinched some of these ancient customs and festivals and adapted them into something different.

I also take a look at how some of the plants and flowers blooming in this month had a significant part in the May celebrations and how they helped our ancestors connect to this special month.

I take a little look at the fairy folk and some of the plants they are associated with.

If you want a more detailed delve into each month, take a look at my monthly zine which takes a look at the seasonal folklore, nature lore along with a few seasonal projects and recipes to help you get the most out of each month and enjoy the seasons. https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/collections/almanac-subscription-pre-order-now-open

Also check out the blog for more seasonal tips and how to connect to nature. https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news

April is one of the most exciting months in the countryside when spring is fully underway. The weather can swing from warm, early-summer sunshine to sudden wind and rain across the moor, a changeability that has long shaped how the month is understood — what Shakespeare called “the uncertain glory of an April day.”

In this episode, we explore the traditions and turning points of April, from the mischief of April Fool’s Day to the deep-rooted folklore of Good Friday, when bread baked was said never to spoil and seeds planted would never fail. We move through St George’s Day, St Mark’s Eve, and Walpurgis Night — each marking a different stage in the season’s progression.

Alongside this, we look at what’s unfolding in nature now: the return of the cuckoo and swallows, the reappearance of bats and bees, and the quiet activity building across hedgerows and woodland floors. We explore the value of early spring plants such as nettles and dandelions, and how they can be used in simple, practical ways.

This month’s focus is the art of noticing; paying closer attention to the small, daily changes that define the season. From birdsong and blossom to scent in the air, April offers something new to observe each time you step outside.

Link to the blog for recipes using spring plants https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news

The art of noticing blog

https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/blogs/news/the-art-of-noticing-an-early-march-field-guide-and-download

Sign up for the weekly Almanac collection box, full of things to help you connect more with each month.

https://www.hedgerowandmoor.co.uk/collections/almanac-subscription-pre-order-now-open

Chorus & Seed SowingMarch Seasonal Living Podcast | St David’s Day, St Piran, St Patrick, Primroses, Dawn Chorus & Seed Sowing

In this March episode of Tales from the Hedgerow & Moor, we focus on seasonal living, folklore, and early spring rhythms.

We explore the traditions of St David’s Day, St Piran’s Day, and St Patrick’s Day, including the history of the leek and shamrock as national emblems. We look at the folklore of the Borrowed Days at the end of March, and what these stories reveal about the unpredictability of early spring weather.

This episode also reflects on the beginning of the dawn chorus, the return of primroses (Primula vulgaris), and the old spring dish once made from crushed primrose petals. And find out what the core nourishing ritual for this month.

If you are interested in slow living, seasonal wisdom, British folklore, Cornish traditions, reconnecting with the rhythms of the land, this episode offers calm guidance without pressure or instruction.

It offers a steady companion for March, as the light lengthens and the growing season quietly begins!