As mentioned in the last post, this time of year is when we observe the Erntfescht or Erntdankfescht, which is the original Deitsch thanksgiving celebration. It is important to note, though, that traditional cultures often would have smaller harvest festivals or observances throughout the growing seaason, and the Deitsch culture is no different. In the larger culture, folks are familiar with strawberry festivals, blueberry festivals, etc., but there are many other opportunities to build the relationship with the land around us and to celebrate on a more intimate scale the plants and crops we grow ourselves.
This is a starter list of suggested times for various harvests throughout the growing season. Typically, an individual or a community would celebrate their larger or specialty harvests. This list originates in the context of Pennsylvania. The various Urglaawe communities are encouraged to adjust the calendar to their growing season and to add in their regional crops.
Celebrations can be as simple as incorporating the seasonal food into the meals of the time. Other celebrations can include bringing a community together to process the harvest, such as the traditional Deitsch Schnitzing party, which brings families and friends together to cut apples as part of processing the fruit for apple cider. As is the case with all Urglaawe observances, a respect for the land, the land spirits, and the spirits of the plants that sustain us is a fundamental part of any harvest festival.
This list currently consists mostly of food plants. Herbs are often cut multiple times throughout a season, but more herbs and food crops will be added over time.
This is a starter list of suggested times for various harvests throughout the growing season. Typically, an individual or a community would celebrate their larger or specialty harvests. This list originates in the context of Pennsylvania. The various Urglaawe communities are encouraged to adjust the calendar to their growing season and to add in their regional crops.
Celebrations can be as simple as incorporating the seasonal food into the meals of the time. Other celebrations can include bringing a community together to process the harvest, such as the traditional Deitsch Schnitzing party, which brings families and friends together to cut apples as part of processing the fruit for apple cider. As is the case with all Urglaawe observances, a respect for the land, the land spirits, and the spirits of the plants that sustain us is a fundamental part of any harvest festival.
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| Depiction of a Schnitzing Party from the cover of Pennsylvania Folklife, Winter 1966 |
This list currently consists mostly of food plants. Herbs are often cut multiple times throughout a season, but more herbs and food crops will be added over time.
APRIL
Chickweed
Cuckooflower
Dandelion
Fiddleheads
Nettles
MAY
Clover
Asparagus
Chard
Morels
Parsnips (first harvest)
Dogwood (Bracts/Flowers, not fruit)
Dogwood (Bracts/Flowers, not fruit)
JUNE
Blueberries
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Mints (Midsummer)
Spinach
JULY
Apricots
Cherries
Blueberries
Peaches
Peas
Snap Beans
AUGUST
Blackberries
Corn
Cucumbers
Currants
Grains (First; Hoietfescht)
Lima Beans
Mushrooms
Sunflower
SEPTEMBER
Apples (Schnitzing parties for cider)
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Eggplant
Grains (Second; Erntfescht)
Grapes
Green Beans
Green Onions, Scallions
Lettuce
Melons
Monarda punctuate (spotted bee balm)
Nectarines
Okra
Onions
Oregano (usually second or even third harvest)
Parsley
Peaches
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Radishes
Raspberries
Spinach
Squash (summer)
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Zucchini
OCTOBER
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Celery
Cucumbers
Fennell
Garlic
Passionfruit
Pears
Pumpkins
Rutabaga
Turnips
NOVEMBER
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Collards
Leeks
Parsnips (second harvest)
Squash (winter)
DECEMBER
Beets
Cranberries
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