Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 7, 2025 Saugus Gardens in the Winter Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener T his month’s full moon will shine between the evening of Thursday, March 13, and the early morning of Friday, March 14. While gazing at it you might just feel the urge to calculate the ratio of its circumference to its diameter. After all, March 14 is pi day! Usually called the worm moon, the March full moon is also sometimes called the Lenten moon, snow crust moon, crow moon, sugar moon or sap moon. Some parts of the country will see a full lunar eclipse this month, but we won’t be seeing it here. Lenten moon was not a name given by Native Americans but by European settlers, for a full moon that occurs between Mardi Gras, which was Tuesday, March 4, and Easter. The name worm moon may have Snowdrops are ready to open up any day now in my garden in Lynnhurst. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) come from the thawing soil, when worms become active again, but it may have come from the fact that in warmer Canada geese strolled up the steps on a recent morning near Saugus Center. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) parts of the country wormlike caterpillars are hatching from eggs at this time. Sap moon refers to the sap flowing, especially maple and birch. “Maple sugarin’ days” will be celebrated at Breakheart Reservation tomorrow, March 8, from 10 until 2 with information about maple sap harvesting history, and tastings of various grades of maple syrup. The nickname crow moon The shaft of a new waterwheel was installed in the forge at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site this week. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) A crow wanders in the old Saugus Center cemetery. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) refers to the belief that crows become more active in this month, cawing and exploring with more energy than during the winter. In Saugus Center, a few crows (Corvus brachyrhyncos) are often seen near the old cemetery, wandering the grounds or cawing in one of the trees. They have been in the area all winter. A similar looking bird that reappeared at my feeder this week after several months’ absence is the common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula). Others in the neighborhood like the cardinals (Cardinalis cardinale) seem to be singing some new songs, an indication of spring. Late last week when my husband and I went out for coffee, we saw another couple who seemed to also be looking for breakfast near Saugus Center. These were two Canada geese (Branta canadensis) strolling up the steps and checking out the windows of restaurants along the way as A male cardinal in my elderberry has been a regular visitor to my feeder all season. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Daffodil leaves poke a few inches above the ground and their swelling flower buds declare spring is underway. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) if to say, “Shall it be pizza, the new taco place or coffee and doughnuts?” As for the flowers, Wednesday, March 12 is Plant a Flower Day. The ground is definitely beginning to thaw, but there is still a good chance of cold temperatures here, especially at night, so I am holding off on planting anything other than possibly some seeds outdoors right now. Just before the temperatures plunged last weekend, I noticed the snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) had emerged from the snow cover, with buds almost ready to bloom. The Lenten roses (Helleborus orientalis) are showing a bit more color than they did before the snow a few weeks ago, but it is still hard to tell how soon they will open up in full bloom, since sometimes they will keep on teasing us with the promise of flowers for a month or two before they actually open. As the snow subsides, people have been walking out in their gardens checking for signs of new growth. Julia Astin has seen several daffodils (Narcissus spp.) poking up through the soil. Also, along the south facing brick wall at St. John’s GARDENS | SEE PAGE 17
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