Embracing the Change: Transitioning from Winter’s Serenity to Spring’s Vibrancy

As we reach the tail end of February, the faint whispers of spring start to echo around us. Today brought rays of sunshine, tricking me into believing it was warmer than reality. The persistent winter winds were quick to correct me, reminding me of their ruling reign. Stepping out without a hat and gloves turned into a regretful decision as winter asserted its dominance.

I eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring with its warmth and sunshine, ready to embrace it wholeheartedly. However, a tinge of sorrow accompanies my farewell to the winter season, its chilling allure, and the tranquillity it brings. Ever since I battled with exhaustion depression, I’ve found myself increasingly enchanted by winter’s serene charm, while the summer season has somewhat lost its former allure.

Spring and summer are characterized by constant movement and heightened pace, whereas winter provides a peaceful respite, easing the weight of expectations. Shaking off the winter lethargy and transitioning into an active routine requires time, a gradual process. It’s the transition spring affords us, a gentle nudge to reset and rekindle our energy. The oscillation between sunny days filled with activities and hailstorm days perfect for a hot chocolate and a comforting movie is spring’s magic.

Living in sync with the seasons is my ultimate aspiration – aligning my activities and rhythm with the ebb and flow of nature. As we welcome this year, it seems we’re inching closer to this dream.

Stay well, cherish the final week of winter, and welcome the rejuvenating spring with open arms!

Spring Gardening Tips: Kickstart Your Growing Season and Spread Plant Joy

With the last days of winter still lingering, yet the soft whispers of spring beckoning, here are some tips to inspire you and ease your eager green fingers into the new growing season. Hopefully, you’ll also find ways to spread some plant love and motivation among your gardening buddies.

Share the Gardening Excitement

Being part of a community of plant enthusiasts is such a delight! There’s a unique thrill when a gardening friend shares a photo of a seed packet, a new plant, or a ripe fruit. Or when we sit down together, discussing cultivation plans, soil types, watering strategies, and recipe ideas. I challenge you to spread some gardening inspiration to a friend. It could be a picture, a message, some seeds, or even a small plant. Better yet, spend some quality time together – sowing seeds, repotting plants, visiting a nearby park, or even a trip to a garden center. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments. Remember, gardening together makes the experience even more rewarding!

Multiply Your Houseplants

A few weeks ago, my mother was repotting her indoor plants – some were divided into smaller pots while others graduated to larger ones. If you’re like us, you might not have room for lots of new pots. Why not make use of these surplus plants by gifting them to someone you care about? It’s an excellent way to say “I appreciate you” or “Sorry, I ran out of window space, can you squeeze this plant into yours?” I find that taking care of plants gifted by loved ones brings an added layer of joy to my plant care routine. So, why not share the love?

Embrace the Signs of Spring

Spring is almost here, at least in southern Sweden. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of sowing and planting without pausing to appreciate the transformation happening around us. As nature rouses from its long winter slumber, it’s genuinely enchanting to witness the rebirth of life around us. Try to slow down and observe the small miracles of spring – the sprouting leaves, the swelling buds, the returning birds, and the awakening insects. Let’s not just be sun seekers, but also ground observers. Take time to notice and revel in the signs of spring unfolding around you.

Let’s welcome the new season with open hearts and excited green thumbs. Here’s to a fantastic growing season filled with joy, sharing, and the wonder of nature’s renewal.

Spring Gardening Tips: Kickstart Your Growing Season and Spread Plant Joy

With the last days of winter still lingering, yet the soft whispers of spring beckoning, here are some tips to inspire you and ease your eager green fingers into the new growing season. Hopefully, you’ll also find ways to spread some plant love and motivation among your gardening buddies.

Share the Gardening Excitement

Being part of a community of plant enthusiasts is such a delight! There’s a unique thrill when a gardening friend shares a photo of a seed packet, a new plant, or a ripe fruit. Or when we sit down together, discussing cultivation plans, soil types, watering strategies, and recipe ideas. I challenge you to spread some gardening inspiration to a friend. It could be a picture, a message, some seeds, or even a small plant. Better yet, spend some quality time together – sowing seeds, repotting plants, visiting a nearby park, or even a trip to a garden center. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments. Remember, gardening together makes the experience even more rewarding!

Multiply Your Houseplants

A few weeks ago, my mother was repotting her indoor plants – some were divided into smaller pots while others graduated to larger ones. If you’re like us, you might not have room for lots of new pots. Why not make use of these surplus plants by gifting them to someone you care about? It’s an excellent way to say “I appreciate you” or “Sorry, I ran out of window space, can you squeeze this plant into yours?” I find that taking care of plants gifted by loved ones brings an added layer of joy to my plant care routine. So, why not share the love?

Embrace the Signs of Spring

Spring is almost here, at least in southern Sweden. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of sowing and planting without pausing to appreciate the transformation happening around us. As nature rouses from its long winter slumber, it’s genuinely enchanting to witness the rebirth of life around us. Try to slow down and observe the small miracles of spring – the sprouting leaves, the swelling buds, the returning birds, and the awakening insects. Let’s not just be sun seekers, but also ground observers. Take time to notice and revel in the signs of spring unfolding around you.

Let’s welcome the new season with open hearts and excited green thumbs. Here’s to a fantastic growing season filled with joy, sharing, and the wonder of nature’s renewal.

Gearing Up for 2023: The Future of Self-Sustaining Gardens

The dawn of a new year always brings anticipation, hope, and plans for the months ahead. This 2023, I’ve decided to gaze into the proverbial crystal ball and lay down a roadmap for our garden – one that meets the unique challenges this year brings.

Aref and I will be ushering in some significant changes in our lives, with him working abroad intermittently. The implications? Our beloved garden will need to evolve into a more self-reliant space. While the very thought is exhilarating, it also unfurls a carpet of concerns – dehydration and those relentless weeds topping the list. But as every gardener knows, for every problem, there’s always a solution, or in our case, multiple!

1. Embracing Cover Cropping:
For those unfamiliar, think of this as a protective blanket for the soil. By using grass clippings to envelop the ground around our plants, we intend to retain moisture and deter those pesky weeds. It’s an age-old method with promising results.

2. The Magic of Interplanting:
Nature thrives in unity. We plan to adopt the technique of growing crops side-by-side, especially those that complement each other. Imagine zucchinis nestling with corn, or butternut squash playing companion to beans. This symbiosis not only keeps the weeds at bay but also ensures the soil remains shielded from the harsh sun.

3. Automating Hydration:
Our greenhouse poses a unique challenge. With no rainfall seeping in, we must be extra vigilant. While some of our deep-rooted plants, like grapes, have the luxury to draw water from the outer edges due to the lack of flooring, others aren’t so fortunate. We’re still brainstorming the perfect automatic watering system, but trust that we’ll land on a solution soon.

4. Going Pot-less:
To mitigate dehydration risks, we’re bidding adieu to pots this year. Direct ground planting will be our modus operandi, ensuring the roots have consistent access to moisture.

5. The Power of Pre-cultivation:
While it’s ambitious to pre-cultivate everything, we’ll aim high! Giving our seeds a head start indoors should, in theory, give them an edge over the weeds.

Despite our best-laid plans, nature, with its inherent unpredictability, will throw its curveballs. We anticipate a few casualties to pests, dehydration, or the fierce competition of weeds. However, the silver lining remains – many plants will not just survive, but thrive. And I hold onto the conviction that our garden will grace our plates generously this year as well.

Whant to know what happend? Check it out here!

Covering the garlic with grass clippings (pic from 2022)
Planting out big plants to get a head start on the weeds (pic from 2022)