The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Spring

  • Ring in Spring

    Ring in Spring

    by Nina Hufman

    Originally printed March 22, 2023

    Monday, March 20th marked the spring equinox, the point in the year where daylight hours are equal to night hours. From now until the summer solstice, the amount of daylight will continue to increase, and will take up a majority of the day until the fall equinox. 

    The spring equinox is celebrated in many cultures both past and present. The longer days of spring and summer are a time of renewal, fertility, and possibility. Anyone can take advantage of the effects of the spring equinox. Here are a few ways to celebrate. 

    1. Clean your space. It’s called spring cleaning for a reason. Get rid of stagnant energy and unwanted items. If it’s warm, open a window and let in a spring breeze. 
    2. Go on a walk. Appreciate the warmer weather. Pick some seasonal flowers and dry them; connect with whatever nature surrounds you.
    3. Bake using seasonal ingredients. Lavender, lemon, eggs, ham, mint, and honey are just some ingredients that can be incorporated to symbolize spring.
    4. Create a seasonal shelf. Make a space to put flowers, crystals, herbs, or other objects that feel like spring to you. You can even collect these items on your walk. 
    5. Plant a garden. Sow something that you can reap the benefits of. Plant herbs, flowers, vegetables, and fruit that you can appreciate all spring, summer, and into the fall.
    6. Journal and set goals for yourself. As nature renews itself, so can you. Set intentions for what you want to accomplish in the warmer months. 

    The most important part of celebrating the spring equinox is doing something that allows you to appreciate all that the season has to offer. Connection with nature and the cycles of renewal are at the core of the celebration. 

  • Gander at these Geraniums

    Gander at these Geraniums

    by Nina Hufman

    These lavender-blue blooms belong to the Wallich geranium, also known as the Wallich cranesbill. The full scientific name of this species is Geranium wallichianum. The flowers pictured here are of the Buxton’s Blue variety, distinguishable by their purplish-blue petals with pale centers and purple veins.

    Like other species of geranium, Wallich geranium flowers have five petals and five sepals, the green leaf-like structures surrounding the petals. The plants grow low to the ground and have wide leaves with three to five lobes. Another noticeable feature of these flowers is their dark purple stamens, or pollen organs, that project from the flowers’ centers. Stamens are usually present in multiples of five. The National Gardening Association says that Wallich geraniums are pollinated by various insects including honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies.

    According to the Missouri Botanical Garden Association, Wallich geraniums are native to highland regions in the Himalayas from Afghanistan to Kashmir. These hardy plants can grow at elevations up to 3500 meters. The Buxton’s Blue variety is a result of a naturally occurring, whole plant mutation and was discovered by Sylvia Morrow in 1999. This particular variant received a U.S. Plant Patent in 2010.

    Wallich geraniums belong to the herbaceous family Geraniaceae. This group of flowering plants is characterized by low-growing foliage, lobed leaves, and floral features such as petals, sepals and stamens in multiples of five.

    According to nativeplants.org, members of Geraniaceae either actively eject their seeds or use hook-like structures to grip onto the fur of animals in order to disperse their seeds. In addition to geranium, the Geraniaceae family includes the genuses Erodium and Pelargonium.

    Wallich geraniums can be seen in several places in the Cal Poly Humboldt campus, including in the flower bed in front of the theater building. These plants bloom throughout the spring and summer, so we can look forward to seeing these lavender-blue blossoms in the months to come.

  • Equity Arcata Holds Home Away From Home Potluck

    Equity Arcata Holds Home Away From Home Potluck

    Potluck seeks to bring together and welcome students to the community

    Equity Arcata’s Home Away From Home Potluck is an event that happens four times a year. There are two during the spring semester and two during the fall semester. The purpose is to bring together all students, community members and local businesses and make them feel welcome within the community while enjoying a free meal.