The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PLANTING IN LITHUANIA WAS CONSIDERED A HOLIDAY. ON THE
WARMEST DAY FOLLOWING EASTER, MAYBE SOMETIMES BEFORE,
ALL THE WOMEN AND GIRLS WOULD GO OUT TO THEIR GARDEN
AND START TO PLANT FLOWERS, SHRUBBERY AND SUCH. THE MEN
WOULD GO OUT TO THE FIELDS AND PLANT WHEAT, CORN, RYE,
AND OATS. THIS IS CONSIDERED A HOLIDAY, BECAUSE THE
LITHUANIANS ARE SUCH NATURE LOVING PEOPLE.
THIS HABIT HAS BEEN CARRIED OVER BY SOME LITHUANIANS
TO AMERICA. HOWEVER, ONLY IN DETROIT THIS IS PRACTICED.
EVERY SPRING AT THE END OF APRIL OR BEGINNING OF MAY,
MOST OF THE LITHUANIANS COME OUT TO "DAINOVA," OUR FARM IN
SOUTHERN MICHIGAN THAT WE RENT OUT TO PEOPLE AS A PLACE
TO CAMP AND RELAX, FOR A HUGE BARBECUE AND TO PLANT NEW
TREES, EVERGREENS AND FLOWERS. SINCE WE BOUGHT THE
FARM/CAMP IN 1970, OVER 500 TREES (CLOSE TO A THOUSAND)
HAVE BEEN PLANTED. BUT BECAUSE MOST OF THE LAND IS HILLY,
WILD (SNAKES, ETC.) AND FULL OF TREES, THE FLOWERS
RARELY GET ANYWHERE.
BUT IN LITHUANIA, THE PLANTING OF FLOWERS IN GARDENS
AND CROPS IN FIELDS WERE CONSIDERED AS A HOLIDAY.

Where learned: LITHUANIA

Date learned: 03-26-1972