Plant health and safety | Removal of dead, damaged, or diseased, or overlapping branches, buds, or roots, as well as suckers and water sprouts assists with plant health (strength, air circulation, sun reach, and pest and disease resistance) and appearance.
Control size and shape | Pruning can improve the plant structure in addition to allowing better air and light conditions.
Stimulate new growth | Pruning encourages new growth.
Always prune for a specific reason, not because you think you should do it.
Pruning Principles 101
In general, the principle is, prune when the plant is asleep (dormant) and does not have buds.
The best time for pruning most trees, shrubs, and vines (if they do need pruning) is late winter and early spring unless they are early spring bloomers and already have buds.
The second-best time is summer. After flowering is the best time for spring bloomers.
Avoid fall. Pruning stimulates new growth and you don’t want this with winter on its way.
Dead, damaged, and diseased branches can be removed any time.
Trees and Shrubs
Deciduous trees, evergreens, and non-coniferous shrubs handle pruning best in mid-winter when the sap is not running. Avoid the heavy sap flow time in spring for trees like walnut and maple (and other trees you can tap for syrup).
The key for pruning flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs is to know when the plant fruits and whether it produces the fruit on old or new wood/growth. The goal when pruning is to remove the old (and no longer useful or flowering wood) while protecting whatever parts are creating new flower and fruit buds.
Other Garden Perennials
Many flowering perennials are best cut back (removing old, dead growth) in spring just as the new growth starts poking up. While you could do this in the fall, you would be removing valuable winter food and habitat for wildlife (from microbes to birds and more), so wait if you can.
Trimming herbaceous growth like leaves on a boxwood hedge is done during the growing season (ending weeks before first frost).
When you’re traveling, the last thing you want to think about is someone spying on you. But in a 2019 survey by real estate company IPX1031, 11 percent of respondents reported finding a hidden camera in their Airbnb.
“One of the reasons this is happening is because of the ready availability of low-cost camera technology,” says Jack Plaxe, security consultant at Guidepost Solutions. Cameras with pinhole lenses that can be easily concealed are available through Amazon and other shopping sites for less than $100.
And today’s spy cameras are so small that if they’re properly concealed, there is no telltale sign, says Mike O’Rourke, CEO of Advanced Operational Concepts. Many come already installed in clock radios, smoke detectors, lamps, and other portable devices.
While the untrained eye might not be familiar with how to find hidden cameras, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk.
Luckily, your smartphone can detect cameras that your eyes can’t see. There are two ways to find hidden cameras using your mobile phone, Koblitz says. The first uses your smartphone’s camera to spot infrared light coming from a camera that is recording in the dark.
Open your smartphone’s camera, and flip the lens to selfie mode.
Make the room as dark as possible by turning off the lights and closing the curtains.
Scan the room slowly with your phone’s camera lens, looking for any glowing lights that are purple or white.
You can also install a network scanner app like Fing, which lists devices that are connected to the Wi-Fi network and their IP addresses.
Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network and open Fing.
Android users: Tap Refresh to start scanning. iPhone users: The app will automatically begin scanning.
Once the app finishes scanning, search the list for devices with camera manufacturers like Nest, Arlo, or Wyze, or IP addresses listed as “IP Camera.”
Nearly 2 million air fryers made by Cosori, sold between 2018 and 2022, are being voluntarily recalled after an internal investigation revealed an electrical malfunction may pose serious safety risks.
The air fryers, which were sold online by Amazon and through retailers like Best Buy and Home Depot, may overheat, melt, catch fire and smoke, the manufacturer reports.
The impacted air fryers, available in two different sizes and five distinct colors, can be identified using printed model numbers and exchanged for a free replacement.
Around 2 million air fryers have been voluntarily recalled after manufacturers at Cosori discovered they may pose a fire risk. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that affected consumers need to “immediately stop” using the appliances in question, which were widely available and sold between June 2018 and December 2022 both in stores and online — as well as in Canada and Mexico.
St. Patrick’s Day is known as more of a, shall we say, adult holiday—what with all the booze and strong flavors (hello, corned beef and cabbage)—but we’re here to tell you: It can also be totally family-friendly. We think one of the best ways to do that is to add some light-hearted, fun desserts to your holiday spread in the form of Irish-inspired or Pinterest-worthy themed desserts. These St. Patty’s Day desserts are sure to be beloved by all, kids and adults alike.
When it comes to conventional Irish desserts, we’ve got to admit we’re taking some liberties. Our fave on this list, Irish soda bread, doesn’t usually contain any add-ins, much less the chocolate chips we’ve included (but they’re delicious!). What’s more standard is our Irish apple cake—we love fruit desserts because they feel slightly lighter, so we’ve included scones, apple crumble, and apple crisp too. They’re great for a little something sweet after a hearty Irish-themed dinner.
Speaking of dinner, while the green in our main meals often comes from spinach and kale this time of year, for dessert we’re turning to green food dye. If you’re like us, you’ve got some kicking around just waiting to be put to good use (maybe from making some green beer last year?). Lucky for you, it pairs perfectly with minty desserts. In turn, mint and chocolate are also a classic combo (not just for Christmas anymore). We’re using it here in everything from our mint chocolate chip pie to our mint chip “lasagna” (where chocolate pudding + Oreos replace ricotta and noodles 😍).
And don’t worry, we’ve snuck in plenty of alcoholic desserts in here too. Baileys Irish Cream and Guinness are the classics this time of year–try them in our skillet fudgy brownie pudding, our Baileys cheesecake, our chocolate Guinness cake, or our Baileys truffles, then get creative. A little booze can add depth of flavor to almost any dessert you can imagine.
Looking for something over-the-top cute for your celebration? Everyone will love our shamrock cookies, our leprechaun bait, our pot o’ gold cups, or our Irish potato candy (coconut truffles that just look like potatoes). Kids will flip over them, and even miserly adults who don’t care for adorable can enjoy—they count as something green, so there’s no fear of getting pinched!
Is there any cuter way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with shamrock-shaped cookies? Our easy sugar cookie recipe always keeps its shape while baking so you can relax knowing all of your leaves will come out perfectly round and defined. We love decorating with royal icing, but you could use a simple buttercream frosting if you prefer.
It wouldn’t be blarney to tell you that there’s just too many recipes to copy and paste. So please click the link to discover everything Irish for St. Patrick’s Day goodies.
Gardening can teach us a lot of things—gentleness and consistency, the fruitfulness of putting in hard work, and that patience is a virtue. That said, while many plants do take quite a bit of time to push their sprouted heads up through the dirt and produce flowers and fruit, others get the ball rolling more quickly. Whether you’re eager to fill empty space in your own yard or simply appreciate speedy vegetation, these seven fast-growing plants are great picks.
Morning Glory (ipomoea)
Zones: 2 to 11
Maturation: 120 days from seed to flower
Care: Easy
Known for its beautiful vining and vibrant purple-blue flowers, morning glories are perfect for fences, the side of your home, or a trellis. They’re also aptly named, since they open up in the morning and then close again to sleep through the night.
“Morning glory is a personal favorite because once established it requires very little care,” says Jen McDonald, a certified organic gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls. “When planted next to a pergola, fence, or arbor, this vine can easily grow or spread 6 to 12 feet in just one season.”
Care Requirements
Morning glories are perennials in warm, tropical climates and considered annuals in regions that dip under 45 degrees. McDonald says to plant by seed or transplant in well-draining soil and a sunny location. “Consistent watering is required for the first two weeks, and plants mature within one month,” she says.
While pruning isn’t necessary, it’s helpful to coax your morning glory up and over arbors, fences, and other vertical services to encourage fast-growing shoots.
Radishes (raphanus sativus)
Zones: 2 to 11
Maturation: 30 to 45 days from planting to harvest
Care: Easy
Whether you’re new to gardening or love this vegetable’s zesty snap, radishes are a great option if you want to plant something edible and reap the reward stat. “It’s one of the fastest-growing crops, and a super fun surprise to harvest since you can’t see the root until you dig them up,” says Chia-Ming, a Los Angeles based edible garden consultant. Radishes are also compact, which is ideal for smaller gardens or freestanding beds.
Care Requirements
Radishes are very easy to grow and do not require a lot of care, making them great for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. These hardy plants can grow year-round, but thrive best when the temperature reaches between 55 and 75 degrees. You may also want to consider experimenting with different varieties. “French breakfast and Easter basket are fun because they are different shapes and colors compared to your regular supermarket variety,” Chia-Ming says.
Inchplant (tradescantia zebrina)
Zones: 9 to 11
Maturation: Six months to maturity
Care: Easy to moderate
Don’t be fooled by its given name—the inchplant is a vining plant that grows vigorously in optimal conditions. In fact, it gets its name because it can grow up to an inch per week. Its vining stems drip beautifully from hanging pots, happily climb down retaining walls, and eagerly creep over the ground.
“The distinctive leaves feature shades of purple and green with silver accents, giving your garden a nice pop of bright color,” says Lindsay Pangborn, a plant expert for Bloomscape. “To ensure its vines do not get lost in your garden, feel free to add a round trellis or create a section for hanging plants within your space to display them beautifully.”
Care Requirements
This plant thrives in low to indirect bright light, and the more light, the more prominent the stripes. Too much sun can scorch leaves, so be mindful of that when choosing a location. The inchplant also tolerates a wide range of temperatures (65 to 90 degrees), says Pangborn.
“Tradescantia will appreciate a regular application of balanced fertilizer every six to eight weeks during active growth,” Pangborn says. “While not known for its flowers, it can produce subtle but beautiful lavender blooms in higher light conditions.”
Hay-Scented Fern (dennstaedtia punctilobula)
Zones: 3 to 8
Maturation: Several weeks to maturity; spreads quickly
Care: Easy
For a plant that takes over large swaths of ground quickly, consider the hay-scented fern. This large, feathery variety grows to about 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide and can easily take over an area in two to three years.
“The fronds form dense masses and are pale green and lacy textured,” says Leirion Sorensen, gardens manager at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Del. “Its texture and color can be really effective in brightening up shadier woodlands or woodland edges.”
Care Requirements
This fast-growing plant adapts well to both wet and dry soils, and tends to be more tolerant of sun compared to other fern species, says Sorensen. It also establishes well in one season. One thing to note is that, “in sunnier sites this plant can be aggressive, competitive, and difficult to eradicate,” says Sorensen, so be mindful of that and prune regularly to keep the plant contained.
Chives (allium schoenoprasum)
Zones: 3 to 9
Maturation: 30 days from transplant, 60 days from seed
Care: Easy
Chives make a nice garden addition thanks to their pretty, grass-like foliage and the mild onion taste they can lend to all sorts of meals. “Certainly one of the easiest and most versatile herbs to grow, chives are fast-growing when planted by seedling or sown directly into the soil,” McDonald says.
Care Requirements
Not too fussy, chives are easy to grow both indoors and outdoors as long as they can enjoy bright, sunny light. Partial sun is okay, but they thrive with more light. This perennial also loves well-draining soil.
“When transplanted into the garden, you can begin snipping and using right away, but take care never to cut more than a third of any plant at one time to prevent shock,” says McDonald. She adds that planting chives near tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage can help repel pests such as aphids, flies, and cabbage worms.
Schreber’s Aster (eurybia schreberi)
Zones: 3 to 8
Maturation: Three to four months
Care: Moderate
Schreber’s Aster is a fall-blooming plant that rapidly forms dense strands of basal foliage via spreading and seed. “This is a favorite plant of the gardeners here [in the Northeast] because of its rhizomatous habit and late bloom, bridging the gap between summer and fall flowering perennials,” says Sorensen. It also produces a delicate white flower that stands out nicely against its lush, dark green leaves.
Care Requirement
This aster variety is tolerant of shady and sunny sites, as well as a range of soil moisture. It usually takes about one season to establish prior to spreading, notes Sorenson, and it’s helpful to remove the seed heads prior to dispersal to help control spread. To maintain flower quality and foliage vibrancy, the plant should be divided every three to four years.
Arugula (eruca sativa)
Zones: 3 to 11
Maturation: 30 days to microgreens, 50 days to maturity
Care: Easy
For a versatile and delicious garden plant, look no further than arugula. “Nothing packs more of a peppery punch than fresh arugula,” says McDonald. She adds that it’s a cool-weather crop that’s perfect for fall, winter, and spring gardens which means you’ll get a lot of bang for your gardener’s buck.
Care Requirements
For the best flavor, arugula should be planted during cool weather when temperatures are between 45 and 65 degrees. “Arugula has a very shallow root system, which makes it easy to grow among taller, slower-growing crops,” says McDonald. Planting it is as easy as opening a seed packet and broadcasting the seeds atop the soil.” Water lightly and consistently for the first two weeks.
Article source: 7 Fast-Growing Plants for Your Garden | Martha Stewart
Welcome to your comprehensive look at what’s coming to Netflix in the United States throughout March 2023. The month will be big for Netflix as the streaming service will launch a live program for the first time in its history.
Illustration by What’s on Netflix
Coming to Netflix in March 2023 TBD
I Am Georgina (Season 2) Netflix Original – Spanish reality series.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 1st
Big Daddy (1999) – Adam Sandler comedy who plays the pinnacle role of his career, Scuba Steve.
Burlesque (2010) – Steve Antin writes and directs this musical starring Cher.
Cheat (Season 1) Netflix Original – British reality series hosted by Danny Dyer and Ellie Taylor seeing competitors encouraged to cheat their way to the grand prize.
Diary of a Prosecutor (Season 1) – Korean crime courtroom series.
Easy A (2010) – Emma Stone comedy about a high school student who relies on the school’s rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.
Forged in Fire: Knife or Death (Season 2) – Reality competition series.
Gecko’s Garage – 3D (Volume 2) – Animated kids series.
Little Angel (Volume 2) – Animated kids series.
Love Destiny: The Movie (2022) – Thai romantic comedy about a timer traveler obstructing one man’s dreams of marrying a woman from another life.
Magic Mike XXL (2015) – Channing Tatum stars in this comedy about a stripper and the remaining Kings of Tampa hit the road to Myrtle Beach to put on one last blow-out performance.
National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) – Comedy starring John Belushi.
Neon Lights (2022) – Indian thriller.
Open Season (2006) – Animated movie featuring the voices of Ashton Kutcher and Steve Martin.
Open Season 2 (2008)
Rango (2011) – Animated movie starring Johnny Depp.
Seven Years in Tibet (1997) – True story of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China’s takeover of Tibet. Starring Brad Pitt.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993) – Rom-com starring Tom Hanks about a widowed man’s son calls a radio talk-show in an attempt to find his father a partner.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) – Classic animated title.
The Hangover Trilogy – Todd Phillips comedy franchise starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis.
The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover: Part II (2011)
The Hangover: Part III (2013)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015) – The final movie in the Lionsgate blockbuster movie franchise, The Hunger Games, sees Katniss Everdeen enter the endgame against President Snow.
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) – Historical drama featuring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Eric Bana.
Tonight You’re Sleeping With Me (2023) Netflix Original – Polish book adaptation about a journalist who’s stuck in a relationship she wants to get out of and is given a chance when her ex-boyfriend arrives on the scene.
Wrong Side of the Tracks (Season 2) Netflix Original – Spanish drama series that sees a grandpa taking vengeance against those that did wrong to his granddaughter.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 2nd
Karate Sheep (Season 1) Netflix Original – Kids’ animated series about two clever sheep who use karate and high-tech gadgets to protect their flock from a hungry wolf.
Masameer County (Season 2) – Animated series.
Monique Olivier: Accessory to Evil (Limited Series) Netflix Original – French crime docuseries looking into Michel Fourniret who is one of France’s most infamous murderers.
Sex/Life (Season 2) Netflix Original – New season of the romance series that’s about the love triangle between a woman, her husband, and her past.
Thalaikoothal (2022) – Tamil drama.
This Is Where I Leave You (2014) – Ensemble comedy about four brothers and sisters forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof for a week.
Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery (Season 2) Netflix Original – Italian comedy.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 3rd
In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal (Limited Series) Netflix Original – Korean crime docuseries looking into four Korean leaders who claimed to be prophets. Directed by Jo Seong-hyeon.
Love at First Kiss (2023) Netflix Original – Spanish romantic comedy movie directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa.
Next in Fashion (Season 2) Netflix Original – Competition reality series.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 4th
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023 – LIVE) Netflix Original – The first ever Netflix Original live production that’ll be streamed at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT.
Divorce Attorney Shin (Season 1 – New Episodes Weekly) Netflix Original – Korean courtroom series based on a webtoon.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 6th
Ridley Jones (Season 5) Netflix Original – Kids animated series.
Unlock My Boss (Season 1) – Korean mystery series about a CEO of a tech firm who teams up with a young stranger to run his company and investigate his own murder.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 7th
World War Z (2013) – Brad Pitt stars in this zombie epic.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 8th
Faraway (2023) Netflix Original – German romantic comedy.
MH370: The Plane That Disappeared (2023) Netflix Original – British documentary delving into one of our greatest modern mysteries: the disappearance of Flight MH370.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 9th
You (Season 4 – Part 2) Netflix Original – The second half of the latest season of Netflix’s thriller series where Joe continues his stay in London.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 10th
Fujii Kaze: Love All Serve All Stadium Live (2022) – Japanese live concert.
Have a nice day! (2023) Netflix Original – Mexican comedy about a retired radio host now working at a grocery store.
Jolly Roger (2022) – Nollywood movie.
Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) Netflix Original – Idris Elba returns to his role as London police detective John Luther who has to break out of prison to hunt down a serial killer.
Nike Training Club Specials – Netflix Originals
10 Minute Workouts (Volume 2)
20 Minute Workouts (Volume 2)
30 Minute Workouts (Volume 2)
Abs & Core (Volume 1)
Bodyweight Burn (Volume 2)
Fire & Flow (2023)
Fitness for Runners (2023)
High-Intensity Training (Volume 2)
Ignite & Inspire with Kirsty Godso (2023)
Kick Off with Betina Gozo (2023)
Lower-Body Workouts (Volume 1)
Upper-body Workouts (Volume 1)
Yoga (Volume 1)
Yoga with Xochilt (2023)
Outlast (Season 1) Netflix Original – Survival reality series set in the extreme Alaskan wild.
Rana Naidu (Season 1) Netflix Original – India’s Ray Donovan adaptation.
The Glory (Part 2) Netflix Original – Hit Korean drama series about a woman enacting revenge.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 14th
Ariyoshi Assists (Season 1) Netflix Original – Japanese variety comedy series.
IWGP: Ikebukuro West Gate Park (Season 1) – Japanese crime series.
Money Shot: The PornHub Story (2023) Netflix Original – Documentary on the rise and controversies surrounding the biggest porn site in the world.
The Law of the Jungle (Season 1) Netflix Original – Mexican reality series where twelve athletes compete in the jungle. A spin-off to The Mole.
Tiger and Dragon (Season 1) – Japanese crime drama series.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 16th
Barbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure (2023) – New animated special in the Barbie universe.
Dragged Across Concrete (2018) – Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn star in this thriller about two tough cops suspended and desperate for cash.
Kick-Ass 2 (2013) – Based on the Mark Millar comic, this action comedy sees Kick-Ass making a comeback when a new supervillain arrives on the scene. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Chloe Grace Moretz.
Riddick Movie Franchise:
Pitch Black (2000)
Riddick (2013)
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Shadow and Bone (Season 2) Netflix Original – Return of Netflix’s big fantasy drama series.
Still Time / Era Ora (2023) Netflix Original – Italian romantic comedy.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 17th
Agent Elvis (Season 1) Netflix Original – Elvis Presley trades in his white jumpsuit in this animated spy-thriller series.
Dance 100 (Season 1) Netflix Original – Reality competition series.
In His Shadow (2023) Netflix Original – French thriller.
Maestro in Blue (Season 1) Netflix Original – Greek crime mystery series about a musician who goes to lead a festival on a scenic island, where he begins an unexpected romance and finds himself entwined in other people’s problems.
Noise (2023) Netflix Original – Belgian thriller.
Pul Pul Molcar (Season 2) – Japanese kids series.
Sky High: The Series (Season 1) Netflix Original – Spanish thriller series based on the Sky High Netflix Original movie.
The Magician’s Elephant (2023) Netflix Original – An animated feature film based on two-time Newbery Award winner Kate DiCamillo’s novel of the same title.
We Lost Our Human (Season 1) Netflix Original – Interactive animated comedy adventure about two pets who wake up one day to discover that every human on Earth has disappeared!
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 22nd
Invisible City (Season 2) Netflix Original – Brazilian series.
The Kingdom / El Reino (Season 3) Netflix Original – Final season of the Spanish language crime drama.
Waco: American Apocalypse (Limited Series) Netflix Original – This docuseries includes never-before-seen material from the infamous 51-day standoff between federal agents and a heavily armed religious group in 1993.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 23rd
Johnny (2023) Netflix Original – Polish crime drama.
The Night Agent (Season 1) Netflix Original – Adaptation of the novel by Matthew Quirk about a low-level FBI agent thrust into a conspiracy.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 24th
Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (2023) Netflix Original – Indian action movie.
Love is Blind (Season 4) Netflix Original – Latest installment of the dating reality series.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 28th
InuYasha (Seasons 4-5) – Anime series.
Mae Martin: SAP (2023) Netflix Original – British stand-up comedy special.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 29th
Emergency: NYC (2023) Netflix Original– Documentary that follow the trauma team navigating the bustling city of New York.
Unseen (Season 1) Netflix Original – South African crime thriller series.
Wellmania (Season 1) Netflix Original – Australian comedy series about Liv who has to rethink her “live fast, die young” attitude and enrolls into a wellness journey to get better.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 30th
Big Mack: Gangsters and Gold (2023) Netflix Original – German documentary about a robber who was wrong convicted – or was he?
From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke (Season 1) Netflix Original – Japanese romance series.
Unstable (Season 1) Netflix Original – Rob Lowe comedy series about a biotech entrepreneur working to make the world a better place.
What’s Coming to Netflix on March 31st
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King (2023) Netflix Original – Japanese anime movie based on the popular comic.Shifted to June 2023.
Copycat Killer (Season 1) Netflix Original – Taiwanese crime mystery series set in 90s Taipei.
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) – Lionsgate movie directed by Tyler Perry.
Henry Danger (Seasons 4-5) – Nickelodeon live-action series.
Kill Boksoon (2023) Netflix Original – Korean thriller about a woman who leads a double life – as a hired assassin and a single mother with a teenage girl.
Murder Mystery 2 (2023) Netflix Original – Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston return for the sequel to the action-comedy where they star as the Spitz and once again find themselves tied up in a conspiracy.
Today (sic), I’m sure you’ll notice people walking around with crosses smudged on their foreheads. Maybe you’ll think, “Oh, right. Ash Wednesday, which is…some kind of religious day.” And you’d be right—it is some kind of religious day, and if you want to know more, here are the what’s, whys, and wherefores of the Christian tradition of smearing ashes on your forehead.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday has been around since at least the 11th century. It marks the beginning of the Lenten season in many Christian denominations and takes place 46 days before Easter. The concept behind Ash Wednesday is penance. It is a day to confess sins, ask forgiveness from God, and ponder the transitory nature of our physical bodies.
Ash Wednesday isn’t mentioned specifically in the Bible, but back in the early days of Christianity, egregious sinners were expected to spend the weeks preceding Easter in sackcloth and ashes, doing serious repenting so they’d be pure enough to take Easter communion. At some point, someone seems to have realized that we are all sinners, and everyone started getting ashes sprinkled or daubed on their heads.
How does Ash Wednesday work?
The specifics vary from church to church, but if you go to a Catholic mass on Ash Wednesday, the priest will usually give a sermon related to the theme of repentance, or Lent in general. Then you’ll line up to have ashes applied to your forehead. The priest will most likely say something like, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” before applying ash, typically in a cross shape, to your forehead. The ashes usually come from burned palm leaves left over from last year’s Palm Sunday observance.
Who celebrates Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is observed in all kinds of Christian denomination: Anglicans, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, Moravians, Nazarenes, and many more take part. It’s a popular day to go to mass—some priests report Ash Wednesday is the most heavily attended mass of the year, drawing more people than even Christmas or Easter.
As for why it’s so popular, your guess is as good as anyone’s. It’s not particularly vital as a religious holiday, but people like the ritual. “There’s something of a wonder about it because you’re marking yourself with the cross,” Father Anthony Arinello, a chaplain at Colorado School of Mine, opines. “Maybe it’s the humility of it; not just receiving the ashes, but receiving the little prayer we do as people receive ashes.”
Fasting on Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is also one of two days when Catholics are expected to fast for Lent. It’s not a hardcore fast, though: You can’t eat meat (fish is OK) but you are permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that “together are not equal to a full meal.”
Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of the Lenten season, where you are expected to abstain from some small pleasure or indulgence until Easter. What you sacrifice is up to you, but it’s not fair to give up something you don’t enjoy.
The name “Fat Tuesday” refers to the practice of consuming all of the food forbidden while fasting during Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Why do we celebrate Fat Tuesday? It’s called Fat Tuesday because it’s the last day that many people eat meat and fatty foods before Lent begins.
stayhappening.com
Perhaps your familiar with its’ French derivation, Mardi Gras.
While not observed nationally throughout the United States, a number of traditionally ethnic French cities and regions in the country have notable celebrations. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century.
The festival season varies from city to city, as some traditions, such as the one in New Orleans, Louisiana, consider Mardi Gras to stretch the entire period from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas which begins Epiphany) to Ash Wednesday. Others treat the final three-day period before Ash Wednesday as the Mardi Gras.
Sources: bing.com and en.wikipedia.org
On Fat Tuesday it’s eat drink and be merry for the next day we fast! (If Catholic).
