The Persephone Period Ends
My Regular Pagan Holiday Post: Happy Imbolc
Today, January 23, marks the end of the Persephone Period here in Sonoma County.
Have you heard of the Persephone Period? It’s a concept we’ve only recently discovered, but it’s already proving to be a valuable guide for us gardeners.
Most of us are familiar with the myth of Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. According to Greek mythology, Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld. Grief-stricken, Demeter caused the earth to grow barren until a compromise was reached: Persephone would spend four months of the year in the underworld, during which the earth experienced winter, and then return to bring the renewal of spring.
In gardening terms, the Persephone Period begins on the last day of the year with 10 hours of sunlight and ends when daylight hours rise above 10. Across much of the Northern Hemisphere, this period typically spans mid-November to early February. I like to think of it as starting around Samhain, the pagan holiday on November 1, and ending at Imbolc on February 1. Another fitting end point is the lunar new year, which in 2025 falls on January 29.
In Northern California, our Persephone Period is shorter than in regions further north. In Sonoma County, it starts on November 18 and ends today.
The Myth Meets Science
The Persephone Period isn’t just a poetic reference — it mirrors the biological response of plants to diminishing sunlight. When daylight drops below 10 hours, most plants enter dormancy, conserving energy and resources to survive the colder months. Growth slows or halts entirely, allowing plants to endure harsh conditions and rebound when warmth and light return.
For gardeners, understanding this phenomenon is key to successful planning. During the Persephone Period, it’s best to avoid sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings, as plants struggle to establish themselves while dormant.
Timing Is Everything
Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we’re lucky to have a “secret season” for winter gardening. The key to success is planting seeds well before the Persephone Period begins, giving plants enough time to develop roots and begin growing before sunlight dwindles.
In the past, I assumed planting in October — or even early November — was sufficient. Snow peas planted in our garden in October yield a crop by February. But Sonoma County Master Gardeners recommends planting winter seeds as early as August or September. This gives plants more time to grow before the Persephone Period slows them down. The downside? Planting in late summer requires consistent watering, often daily or every other day, during the dry months — a challenge for many gardeners.
Our Winter Garden
I’ll admit, I’m not particularly enthusiastic about winter vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts — they’re cheap and plentiful at local farmers’ markets. But I do appreciate winter greens. I love being able to harvest greens in the middle of winter. Just now I’m snacking on miner’s lettuce, coming up around the garden. The kale I planted last year has grown to an impressive three feet tall. Birds, especially finches, eat the leaves and so we’ve left those plants for the birds.
Seasonal Markers
Other plants, too, thrive here even during the Persephone Period. The start of winter rains wakes them up. Here are a few standouts in our winter garden:
Calendulas: Their cheerful, easy-to-grow blooms brighten the garden.
Woolly blue curls: A native plant gifted by a friend, it’s flourishing in our front yard.
Native verbena: A reliable bloomer nearly all year long.
Ornamental flowers: Planted in the fall, they’re still adding a welcome burst of color.
Narcissus: Lovely, though I find their fragrance too overpowering for indoors — I’ve had to move the gifted bouquet outside.
And last week our daffodils started blooming!
Winter may bring shorter days and quieter rhythms, but it also offers its own moments of beauty. Between the blooms in the garden and the bounty of oranges from our old tree, I’ve learned to appreciate the Persephone Period for what it is: a time of rest, resilience, and subtle life persisting through the season’s challenges.
To all a blooming Imbolc and festive Lunar New Year!
