This year, believers celebrate the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem on April 24. About two thousand years ago, the Jews joyfully greeted Jesus and threw palm branches at his feet as a sign of respect. Our climate is not suitable for palm trees, and the festive ritual uses branches of the first tree to come to life after winter - the willow. The consecration of willows is carried out during the festive service - after reading the Gospel, the priests offer a prayer and sprinkle the branches with holy water.
However, willow was revered in Rus' long before the advent of Orthodoxy. Twigs young tree since ancient times symbolized vitality, health, fast growth and fertility. But the old willow was considered a refuge of natural power, which in a few last centuries reduced to "unclean". One of the legends says that a merman often lingers in the branches of this tree. Another is that the willow was shot with a bow, and then cursed by some saint, who for some reason decided that Satan was hiding in the trunk, whom this enlightened man was hunting. Anything can happen, but the main property of a mature plant is the ability to “accept” human illness; the willow can send diseases away.
In some places, beliefs about palm tree miracles are still alive. Thus, it is believed that a branch against the wind stops a storm, a branch sent into a fire pacifies the fiery element, and a branch planted in a field protects crops. Willow was also used to protect one’s home from evil spirits, especially chimneys and windows—favorite places of “entry” for evil entities.
All Slavic peoples used willow as a healing agent. They girded themselves with it during the harvest to prevent back pain, fumigated sick cattle, ground it into powder and covered their wounds with it. A decoction was prepared from willow along with juniper to help cure sore throat and stomach, which relieved fever, was used in lotions for bruises, swelling and tumors. The willow also helped parents of restless children: at night they wrapped a woolen thread around the tree, which was then tied to the child’s hand, and he quickly calmed down.
It is impossible to list all the rituals in which willow was used. Our ancestors knew how to be friends with nature, and in return, it helped them in all areas of life. May be. And should we try?
Consecrated during Palm Feast The branches are believed to have great strength, so they are kept in the house for a year until next spring. When you bring home such a twig, put it in a vase or simply place it on the windowsill. As long as she is in your home, many problems will bypass it, and the peace and health of your household will increase. By the way, if you still have last year’s branches, then before. Before going for new ones, be sure to burn them: whole year they “delayed” your troubles and illnesses. When they are burning, say quietly: “Willow willow, take away the poor things!”
Folk signs for Palm Sunday:
1) If you tap a willow twig on your body, you will be healthy for a whole year.
First, a willow twig is blessed on this day in the church, and after that the twig is tapped on the body and the sentence is said: “Be as strong as the willow, as healthy as its roots and as rich as the earth.” This preference is given to the willow because it is, perhaps, the most tenacious tree that exists in nature. It is believed that even if a willow stick is stuck into the ground upside down, it will still take root and grow. It is for this reason that willow can give health to a person, because it itself is very strong.
2) It rains on Palm Sunday - expect a good harvest.
This sign is based on centuries-old observations of our ancestors. It has been noticed that if it rains on this day, the harvest will be simply excellent. If on Palm Sunday If the weather is clear and sunny, then you can expect a lean year. But if the weather is cloudy on this day and there is no rain, then the harvest will be possible, but not nearly as much as we would like.
3) Eat a willow bud - an important matter will be resolved.
It was customary to keep consecrated willow branches for a whole year near the icon. If you have to go to important negotiations, or you are about to start a very important business for you, and you are not sure of the result, then willow will help you here too. But only the willow that was consecrated in the church on Palm Sunday will help. When going on an important task, you need to tear off three buds from a branch and eat them, washing them down with holy water, while thinking about your business. True, this property of a twig can only be used as a last resort. Constantly, don’t, it’s better not to disturb the willow, it can go sideways.
4) On Palm Sunday, think about your loved one, he will come.
Superstition? More likely. But before, a young girl, if she liked some guy and he didn’t pay any attention to her, would wait for this very day. Starting in the morning, she began to think about who was dear to her heart. Her thoughts were somehow incomprehensibly transmitted to this guy. And in the evening he came to her to invite her for a walk. In principle, it has long been proven that human thought is material. Everything we think about inevitably happens sooner or later. real life. Perhaps Palm Sunday has such an energy that allows us to bring our thoughts to life much faster than on any other day.
5) Plant a houseplant on Palm Sunday and you will be rich.
It used to be believed that if you plant on this day indoor flower, then he will attract money into your life. In the cities, of course, they kept houseplants, but in the villages there was no time for that. But those who knew about this sign and planted indoor plants quickly got back on their feet. But this sign has several features that few people know about. Firstly, if the flower withers within a month, then you will have to live your whole life in poverty. And secondly, you only need to plant plants with large and fleshy leaves. By the way, one of these plants is now called the money tree. In order for it not to wither and grow well, you need to know the special rules for planting and caring for it. By the way, it was noticed that in the house where Money Tree It grows well, there is always prosperity and there is no shortage of money.
6) Poultry is not allowed outside - the witch will spoil it.
It was believed that a week before Easter, witches began to go on a rampage. After all, starting from Easter and all the holidays, their power temporarily decreased. So they tried to cause mischief, so to speak, for the future. It was believed that it was on poultry the witches acted out. But it’s not known whether to believe this sign or not.
7) Plant a houseplant on Palm Sunday and you will be rich.
Previously, it was believed that if you plant an indoor flower on this day, it would attract money into your life. In cities, of course, they kept indoor plants, but in villages there was no time for that. But those who knew about this sign and planted indoor plants quickly got back on their feet. But this sign has several features that few people know about. Firstly, if the flower withers within a month, then you will have to live your whole life in poverty. And secondly, you only need to plant plants with large and fleshy leaves. The best plant for this is the one called “Money Tree”.
Family amulet (for Palm Sunday)
It is done once a year on Palm Sunday. To do this, you will need as many willow branches as there are people in the family. Early in the morning, at dawn, cut off the branches, then go to the morning service and bless them. Arriving home and drinking holy water, begin to weave a braid from the vines, mentally imagining at this time how all the household members joined hands and formed a circle. After completing the work, let the eldest member of the family, holding a wreath in front of the icon of the Mother of God, read: “St. Paul waved the willow, drove away enemies from us. Just as it is true that Palm Sunday is celebrated, it is also true that evil people they won't bother you. Amen". 3 times. Keep the wreath near the icons for a year. Amen.
What should you not do on Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday is great holiday. You cannot work on this day. Also, do not prepare hot dishes (all meals should be prepared in advance). Do not forget that Palm Sunday is celebrated on Lent. The table should be very moderate: in addition to the foods allowed by Lent, you can only eat fish. And on Palm Sunday you can’t comb your hair. Therefore, the health ritual mentioned above should be performed only on the eve of the holiday.
What signs still exist for Palm Sunday?
The wind that blows on such a day will accompany you all summer.
If the weather is clear and warm, according to one of the signs, the harvest of fruits and cereals will be good.
There is a belief that willow can pacify fire, hail and drive away storms. All you have to do is put the branches on the windowsill, or throw them against the wind, or throw them into the fire.
On Palm Sunday it is customary to bake cookies or make nuts from dough. Then the prepared desserts are treated to household members and even animals. And if you put willow buds into the dough, you will add health to everyone.
If you are a timid person and are always afraid of something, then on Palm Sunday, when you come from church, drive a peg into the wall with blessed willow branches, thereby it will help you get rid of obsessive fears, cowardice and timidity.
The penultimate week, which falls exactly one week before the end of Lent and the beginning of Lent Orthodox holiday Easter is usually called Palm Day. Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday itself fall during this period. Surprisingly, these periods constantly “float”, the dates periodically shift and very often Palm Week falls in the midst of spring, when the street becomes warm and favorable for... gardening work weather and many are trying to take advantage of this, trying to quickly plant this or that long-growing crop.
This is all natural; gardeners can be completely understood, because their goal is to get a rich harvest as early as possible and end the season safely. Everyone knows that a previously planted crop grows much better, becomes stronger and less vulnerable to most diseases. Trying to plant the seeds of this or that crop as quickly as possible, vegetable growers practically forget that it is Palm Week, and this period is considered not entirely favorable for planting!
Is it possible to plant during Palm Week?
In the old days, they adhered strictly to Orthodox commandments, to be honest, most of which were noticed by the people themselves and on Palm Week, they never planted anything in the ground! It was believed that no matter what you place - be it a sweet berry or some kind of vegetable, an apple tree or a pear, some kind of cereal - in any case it will all grow sour, bitter and practically inedible. On this score they even said, like the willow itself, the harvest would be “bad”!
Old people even postponed sowing work in the fields for this week, just as their gardens at home were left unplanted. Although during this time a person did not sit idle, in addition to planting, it is quite possible to do landscaping of the territory, digging, removing weeds, hilling, thinning, and applying fertilizers to the soil.
It is also impossible to replant perennial flowers during Palm Week, separating them and planting them from the mother bush. In this case, even if the plant takes root, it will grow sparsely, sluggishly, and the flowering will not be rich, even if you periodically fertilize it and care for it properly. Nothing good can come from such a flower!
Our ancestors especially “punished” us not to plant potatoes during this period! It is believed that such a root crop will grow painfully. Even the tops will have poor growth, let alone the potatoes themselves. In addition, the potato crop planted during Palm Week will not be able to survive throughout the winter. The tubers will become soft, watery and storing them in cellars will be very problematic, which risks bringing on hunger yourself!
What can you plant during Palm Week?
Despite all the prohibitions on planting during this period, in case of a belated, late spring, the ancestors say this: in this case, you can plant something on Palm Week. First of all, these can be crops whose characteristic is “to grow upward.” These include sunflowers, peas, bush cucumbers and early cabbage.
However, it is best to postpone planting until Saturday and complete all the work immediately after sunset, but before it gets completely dark, that is, almost in the last minutes of Lent.
Potatoes are called “second bread” and no table can be imagined without them. To get a rich harvest, you need to know all the secrets of growing this root vegetable. Let's consider favorable timing for planting crops based on folk signs and is it possible to plant potatoes without digging up the soil?
The timing of planting potatoes is different and depends on many factors, but there are calculations that different from standard. Such calculations include folk signs.
For hundreds of years, villages have been passing on “grandmother’s advice” on how to grow a good birth, and here are the popular recommendations:
- You cannot plant potatoes on Palm Week according to the calendar;
- if planted on Saturday or Wednesday, it will deteriorate quickly;
- when elderberry or bird cherry begins to bloom, this is a favorable time for planting potatoes;
- when the coltsfoot begins to bloom, then after 30 days you can plant early potatoes;
- You cannot plant potatoes before the leaves have bloomed on the birch tree and no later than flowers appear on the bird cherry tree;
- if the air temperature at night stays up to +10 for 3 days, then you can safely plant potatoes;
- if when planting potatoes the soil is under a shovel crumbles but doesn't stick, then the harvest will be good.
The right timing for a big harvest
Planting times directly depend on the following factors:
- potato varieties;
- geographical location and climatic conditions.
If you comply correct timing, then the harvest is much greater.
Best time for landing early and mid May. In warm regions it can be planted at the end of April. It is recommended to monitor favorable times based on weather conditions. If the air temperature stays around 10 degrees, then potatoes can be planted.
In the Northern regions, the deadline is moved to mid-to-late May. If you hurry, it will affect the harvest. And if you delay planting, the soil will dry out and there will not be enough moisture to help the plant germinate well.
The best time for planting is the beginning and middle of May Planting potatoes without weeding and digging
Most gardeners spend a lot of time digging the soil in the fall and spring. But many people have a question: is it necessary to do this?
Is it necessary to plow the land?
- moisture is retained better in an untouched bed;
- root system The root crop penetrates into the untouched layer of soil and uses up the stored spring moisture within a month. Tubers form in an unplowed ridge, which has a positive effect on the plant;
- the width of the saved rows allows you to care for the plant, weed it, hill it and protect it from pests without damage;
- fertilizer is running out significantly less than on plowed land.
Features of the method
The soil contains many microorganisms and insects that fertilize it and make it more fertile. If you start digging up the soil, many beneficial insects die. The soil turns into barren. Especially if you start watering it with chemicals from above, this worsens the condition of the soil and affects the future harvest.
Although there are completely opposite points of view, there is an option that it is better not to dig up the soil when planting and the harvest will be even better than after digging. In order to verify the effectiveness of the method, you can arrange an experiment in your own garden.
Methods for planting potatoes without plowing
The simplest and effective method planting potatoes - no plowing. There are several ways.
How to plant on grass without weeding and digging
The method can actually be described in a nutshell: you need to spread the tubers on dried soil and cover it with freshly cut grass.
More detailed description following:
- in the spring you need to wait until the young grass grows. If the area is small, then you should mow the grass with a scythe, if it is large, then prepare a mower;
- plot sprinkle with grass and wait until it dries;
- tubers are planted manually in rows, the width of the rows is 50-60cm;
- above cover by planting material young, freshly cut grass. After 2 weeks, repeat the procedure. Young grass quickly rots and effectively fertilizes the plant;
- the tubers quickly sprout and grow through the grass, the root system goes into the soil.
When harvesting, you won't have to pull the stem or dig too hard. It is enough to pull lightly and the root vegetables hang on it.
Also, the main advantage of the method is that you do not need to spend a lot of effort on plowing, hilling the garden, or digging.
Growing under a layer of mulch
Vegetable garden from autumn covered with a layer of grass and warmed with film. It remains in this state until spring. The soil under the grass coat turns out to be very loose. When the air temperature remains up to +10 degrees in spring, the film is removed and potato planting begins.
You need to take the sprouted tubers, where there are more eyes, and push them under last year's layer of grass. It is recommended to plant potatoes in a checkerboard pattern with the sprouts facing down. Distance between potatoes 50 cm.
Potato tops in mulch
After all the tubers are placed under a layer of last year's grass, you need to cover the beds with a dark film. The film should be removed when the first shoots appear underneath it.
First you need to select small potatoes and select medium and large tubers. The harvest will be much higher.
As sprouts appear, you should sprinkle freshly cut grass on them. The bulk of the grass should be poured under the bushes. When the grass rots, you need to add fresh mulch again.
For best effect, you can water it into the soil. ash. Ash increases the mineral content of potatoes.
The grass layer should be no more than 8-10 cm. It is not recommended to apply large layers.
Planting potatoes without plowing significantly reduces the cost of physical labor throughout the summer. Despite the fact that rotten grass is additional source soil fertilizers. Have a rich harvest!
March 26, 2018 marked the beginning of Palm Week, which will end on Sunday April 1 with the holiday of Palm Sunday.
The date of Palm Week is not constant and changes every year. As we have already said, Palm Week ends with Palm Sunday, after which the last 7 days of Lent begin.
Throughout Palm Week, believers continue to fast. During this period, it is customary to abstain from food of animal origin. Believers also visit churches more often during Palm Week.
In addition, on Palm Week one should visit the graves of loved ones. If the weather permitted, the graves were cleaned on Palm Week. On Monday, Palm Week, St. Hilarion the New and Stephen the Wonderworker were commemorated. On this day, it was customary for mothers-in-law to go to their sons-in-law and give them gifts so that trouble would not enter the married life of the young people.
Tuesday is the memorial day of the martyrs Mark, Cyril, and St. John the Hermit.
Wednesday of Palm Week is the day of St. John Climacus. Traditionally, cookies were baked in the shape of stairs on this day. The baked goods were blessed in the church and half were given to the poor.
On Thursday they remembered the Holy Great Martyr Hypatius, St. Jonah, and the Wonderworker Innocent. On this day, women prayed for relief from infertility, and also asked for help during childbirth.
On Friday they commemorated Mary of Egypt and the martyr Abraham of Bulgaria. It was believed that if there is a lot of melt water on this day, then the grass will be lush in the summer.
Lazarus Saturday was celebrated on the eve of Palm Sunday. In the evening on Lazarus Saturday they collected willow. But you can, of course, buy a few willow branches. Blessed willow They brought them home and placed them in a prayer corner with icons.
Is it possible to work on Palm Week?
Some argue that the answer to the question of whether it is possible to plant a vegetable garden during Palm Week is definitely negative. Firstly, everything planted during this period will grow exactly like a willow. And this means that everything will go to the tops and will be bast. For example, if you want to know whether you can plant tomatoes during Palm Week, the answer is also negative. There will be a lot of greenery, but the harvest itself will be meager. But this does not mean that you need to fold your arms and do absolutely nothing. It is quite possible to start cleaning the site, applying fertilizers and removing weeds. However, if spring is late, it is still possible to plant some crops. This applies to those crops that grow straight upward. It's about about peas, early cabbage and bush cucumbers. It is recommended to plant on Saturday and only after sunset.
A completely different answer to the question of whether it is possible to plant a vegetable garden during Palm Week will be given to you by a pragmatic and completely devoid of superstitions summer resident. If the time has come, the weather has calmed down, it’s time to get to work. If the heat has arrived and the soil has warmed up to the desired state, you cannot wait. Ask such a summer resident whether it is possible to sow a pumpkin during Palm Week, and he will answer in the affirmative, provided the weather is stable with a temperature of 18°C. And this concerns absolutely different cultures: many of them cannot be planted later than the indicated dates in order to avoid weak seedlings.
What and when can you plant during Palm Week?
Despite all the prohibitions on planting during this period, in case of a belated, late spring, the ancestors say this: in this case, you can plant something on Palm Week. First of all, these can be crops whose characteristic is “to grow upward.” These include sunflowers, peas, bush cucumbers and early cabbage.
However, it is best to postpone planting until Saturday and complete all the work immediately after sunset, but before it gets completely dark, that is, almost in the last minutes of Lent.
With the arrival of spring, summer residents actively move out of town for the weekend and begin preparing the site for planting. IN modern world many have kept in their memory the beliefs and instructions of their grandmothers, and try to garden, adhering to the rules. Many rules, or rather instructions, relate to and. In particular, the question remains whether it is possible to plant during Palm Week. There are a lot of disputes, and there are also plenty of radically opposing opinions.
Is it possible to work on Palm Week?
Let's start with the fact that it all depends on your personal beliefs and the time that you can spend on the dacha in principle. The fact is that you cannot predict the weather, but you have to comply with planting dates and recommended periods.
The most frequently asked question is whether it is possible to plant potatoes during Palm Week. If you follow the instructions of our ancestors, it is better to shift the timing and plant potatoes at a different time. Why does this happen: our ancestors believed that potatoes planted during this period would definitely be spoiled. According to this belief, it will be watery and difficult to store. On the other hand, the question quite logically arises: why not use modern drugs from diseases and pests, and planting in fields in the modern world does not particularly depend on signs. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to plant potatoes during Palm Week is obvious to many summer residents: if time is really pressing, we boldly get down to business.
As for other cultures, there are two obvious ways:
- Some argue that the answer to the question of whether it is possible to plant a vegetable garden during Palm Week is definitely negative. Firstly, everything planted during this period will grow exactly like a willow. And this means that everything will go to the tops and will be bast. For example, if you want to know whether you can plant tomatoes during Palm Week, the answer is also negative. There will be a lot of greenery, but the harvest itself will be meager. But this does not mean that you need to fold your arms and do absolutely nothing. It is quite possible to start cleaning the site, applying fertilizers and removing weeds. However, if spring is late, it is still possible to plant some crops. This applies to those crops that grow straight upward. We are talking about peas, early cabbage and bush cucumbers. It is recommended to plant on Saturday and only after sunset.
- A completely different answer to the question of whether it is possible to plant a vegetable garden during Palm Week will be given to you by a pragmatic and completely devoid of superstitions summer resident. If the time has come, the weather has calmed down, it’s time to get to work. If the heat has arrived and the soil has warmed up to the desired state, you cannot wait. Ask such a summer resident whether it is possible to sow a pumpkin during Palm Week, and he will answer in the affirmative, provided the weather is stable with a temperature of 18°C. And this applies to completely different crops: many of them cannot be planted later than the indicated dates in order to avoid weak seedlings.
Regarding the attitude of ministers 
churches to the question of whether it is possible to plant seedlings on Palm Week, they do not give a direct ban. On the one hand, services during this period are boldly called unique and it is undesirable to miss them. However, with the arrival of warmth and the necessary weather conditions no one tells you to refuse work. It is advisable to give preference to going to church on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, well, after that, devote time to your garden. And finally, you will give yourself the correct answer to the question of whether it is possible to plant during Palm Week. Extremes and blind adherence to one's beliefs have not yet become the right path. Everything is good in moderation, and in our modern world, religion with its instructions walks hand in hand with the recommendations of agronomists.
