Have you had a chance to check out Leaf Magazine? I thought that maybe I could leave you with that for the day yesterday while I caught my breath.
So, this maybe an odd thing to start back with, but it stems from a conversation I had with a friend this morning. She (a decided non-gardener) was reporting great success with planting a St. Joseph.
I had never heard of planting a St. Joseph have you? It is a real-estate superstition, based in Catholic Folk-magic. Apparently Saint Joseph (San Jose in Spanish and San Giuseppe in Italian) is the Patron Saint of real estate matters and home sales (among other things). The superstition involves burying (planting) a statue of Saint Joseph upside down in the yard while your house is for sale. This will then ensure a quick and profitable sale.
The custom originated in the US and goes way back (according to urban legends) to the 1970s (wasn’t there a big housing market crash back then too?). When you plant the St. Joseph upside down in your yard (or in a house plant if you have no yard) it will not grow, or flower or produce fruit – in fact you need not even water it. The only requirement is that when your home sells, you must dig it up and move it to your new home…where it must be honored for the good fortune it brought you.
I am curious if any of you have had success with planting a St. Joseph? My friend is swearing by it — they sold their house in 3 weeks at full asking price.
image from Eco Joe Kits
Yep, back in 1996 we sold our first home in one day with St Joseph statue(bought at Holy Name Cathedral) planted in the back yard. He sits on the top shelf in the family room of our present home. I just dusted him off yesterday!
Hey Rochelle, I don’t know if it really works, but I can tell you that when were selling our last house it was on the market for awhile. Then my mother asked if we had buried St. Joe. Well, we hadn’t and decided to give it a try and just like that we sold the house. Go figure!