Bountiful Wheat Harvest Unveiled
In the picturesque region of Aveyron, Lydie Banquart cultivates a quarter hectare of land, growing around fifteen different varieties of wheat. The process begins in September, when she sows the seeds, and concludes in July, when the wheat is harvested.
Lydie's wheat field is a colourful tapestry, with varieties ranging from hard and soft, bearded and smooth, to various hues. One of the most striking varieties she grows is the black-bearded wheat, chosen for its dramatic appearance, as the straw of new varieties is too short for braiding.
Meanwhile, in the north of France, Emma Bruschi tends to her wheat field. She harvests her chosen wheat during the first or second weekend of June, ensuring the stalk is still straight and not too withered. Emma is one of the few people in France who still knows the traditional Ram competitions of the harvest.
The wheat stalks are allowed to dry for at least two weeks before they are worked like a braid or macrame to prevent them from breaking. Lydie uses traditional models to braid wheat stalks into various shapes, such as diamond shapes, horse collars, cornucopias, and the eye of protection.
Guillaume Letaille, a florist in Lille, incorporates wheat stalks into his arrangements. During the summer, he mixes them with peonies when they are still green, and later with dried delphiniums. As the season progresses, he hangs seven ears of wheat on the back of banquet chairs as gifts for guests. The number seven is believed to symbolize the seven days of the week or the twelve months of the year.
Wheat thrives in deep soils and sun, but dislikes violent storms that lay it flat. In the north of Orleans, hard wheat is preferred, while soft wheat is favoured in the south. The blooming of wheat occurs in June, marking the midpoint between sowing and harvesting.
This traditional art form not only celebrates the agricultural cycle but also preserves a piece of French heritage. From the fields of Aveyron to the floral arrangements of Lille, the beauty and symbolism of wheat braiding continue to captivate.
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