Spring Self Care for Gardeners

Spring has sprung. When I walk Precious it is dark, but not as dark as last week. I could feel Spring embracing me. It was warmer, the air felt lighter, the birds were singing and the woodpecker chorus was in full swing. In the distance, the moon in it’s waxing crescent shined a bit of light along the way. I knew the presence of Spring was near.

One of my patio planter’s has new residents. A smattering of Rainbow chard, a small gathering of Longstanding Spinach, kohlrabi, and of course Heirloom carrots for good measure. Cool season vegetables planted in Spring paves the way for experimenting with different summer vegetables. Trying new things is always a treat. For most gardeners, Spring is the busiest time of the year!!

In the midst of our seasonal madness, we sometimes forget Self Care. Here are a few tips for Springtime Self Care:

• Stretch daily. After nesting most of the winter, our limbs might not be as pliable as they once were. Especially as we age, stretching can aid in breathing better and delaying the need for ointments and creams to ease sore muscles.
• Hydrate often. As we walk through our landscapes, forest bathe or visit public gardens we can be distracted and ignore the need for food and drink. All the pretty flowers, garden trinkets and beautiful new containers that we “NEED”…not so fast. We need to stay hydrated now, so the habit of carrying fresh water throughout the season is second nature. Taking a break to just sit outside, have a snack and absorb some Vitamin D is like feeding your soul.
• Shop sensibly. I am so guilty of needing everything that catches my eye. I also just purged my house after renovations. If there is no plan, think about it first. Use your phone, take a photo, go home, and consider the possibilities BEFORE you buy.
• Reuse-Recycle-Reduce. Before throwing away a pot with a chip, can you ant something that will drape over to cover up the imperfection? Why throw away a perfectly usable but imperfect container? Those wine bottles, inverted make a great edging for a border (mine is 6 years old now with no breakage).
• Be a Localper as often as possible. I pride myself as I make every effort to shop with local smaller garden centers. By doing so, it really helps the local economy and you can curate a garden community of folks who KNOW you. What a terrific way to grow a garden community on a local level.
• Support local events as well as local Garden Clubs. Now we are really talking community. There are talks, trips, plant swaps, tool trades and more. After all, garden life is all about building a growing conversation on gardening and growing.

  

Take care of yourself this Spring. By the time summer comes, you will be ready to take on another season of garden bliss!

Carefully restraining myself as I anticipate a colorful Spring!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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