Plant Broad Beans on Candlemas Day
One for the Rook and one for the Crow
And one with God’s blessing to grow
Plant Parsley fair on Lady Day
Away from Rhubarb and from Tare
Remember - say The Lord’s Prayer
Saint Peter’s Penny takes two years
Plant on his day and have no fears
For Lavender, bushy, sweet and tall
Tend upon the feast of Paul
The Lord loveth not a sluggard
Neither yon an empty cupboard
Till and seed, come what may
For blessings on Rogation Day
Burning Bush and Morning Glory
Both are in the Bible story
Sow them on the eve of Mark
You will ne’er be in the dark
Anemones in at Simon and Jude
Bring forth colours contra prude
Do not fret about the yield
They are Our Lord’s lily of the field
Dig in old thatch at Annunciation
‘Twill triple the yield, what jubilation!
Of taters you will have the most
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost |
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Philip and James on 1st of May
Plant good Borage and let it stay
‘Twill liven up the Claret cup
To drink with the hazel nut
Have the Asparagus bed spongy, not flinty
Put in the seed at Holy Trinity
Plant Hops in straight row
Please God let them grow
Dry well in oast house
To quaff in Church ale house *
To Barnabas who gave his land
This garden has been carefully planned
For his feast which falls 11th June
Blooms bring bees in rich attune
To John the Baptist praise be due
The strawflower buds have just come through
The sun is high and strong at noon
It is the 24th June
For Gooseberry tart at Whitsuntide
Trim old wood out ‘ere Christmas tide
Garner the garden by All Saints Day
Till it well and let it lay
Start again ‘fore Lady Day
* Monks owned the breweries and the Church owned the pubs
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