It’s Spring: Let the Gardening Season Begin!

This week, spring 2024 has officially begun. In many ways, I view spring as the start of a new year. Setting new year’s resolutions in January, in the dark of winter, has never been too effective for me, even though I have some casual thoughts about what I would like in the new year ahead. Spring is the time of renewal and new growth. A time of action to start new projects and try new things. As we leave behind the cold winter months and embrace the warmth and longer days, the desire for action becomes more dominant.

There is no better place to express the enthusiasm and joy of warmer days than getting out in the garden and seeing how the winter months have affected it.

While it was nice to have some ‘hibernation’ time, now is the time to reconnect with nature and feel the sun. Much of the winter season is still on full display in the garden beds, but I find it inspiring to see the tips of tulip and hyacinth leaves emerging from the soil and the beginnings of growth on the rose bushes even if most of the garden looks as though it will never come back into full bloom and greenery.

Early spring is one of the only times of year I look forward to doing tedious garden chores and cleaning up. Any excuse to spend time puttering around the yard, tidying the garden beds, sweeping up the walkways, and getting the garden tools up to shape for the season ahead.

This is also the time of year to double check the back of seed packets to see when things should be started indoors or planted out in the garden. This year, I am planning to extend some of my garden beds. Up until now, I have been mostly focused on growing vegetables, but I am going to give my vegetable bed a fallow year and try growing native wildflowers and other plants specifically for show. 

Spring is viewed as a new beginning, a time for action and growth, and an opportunity to reconnect with nature. It is a time for gardeners to clean up, get new projects underway, and try new things in their gardens. I am looking forward to another rewarding year cultivating my love of gardening and enjoying nature and I hope you will as well!