"happy Spring!"

Another year around the wheel and, in the Northern hemisphere, we're back to spring again! It's one of my favorite seasons as the fruit tree buds swell and burst into color and the spring bulbs emerge and surprise us, as each year we forget where they're located and then there they are! We have so many bulbs in the garden such as beautiful fragrant hyacinths, delicate crocus, cheerful daffodils and the elegant cups of tulips looking like lollipops in the garden! The Spring Equinox this year occurred right after the New Moon which is the perfect time for planting. Also the moon was in the Earthy sign of Taurus, a very fertile sign, so we were lucky to plant on the first day of spring this year! The hardy spring crops-lettuce, carrots, kale, chard, cilantro and peas-were planted directly into the garden under a hoop house for protection from spring frosts.We grow and sow or own seeds so planting day is special as it's full circle, connecting one growing season to the next. Before planting I hold the precious seeds to my heart and bless them back into the garden. My heart is full by the time all seeds have been tucked away in their cozy garden beds. Meanwhile the tender summer crops are planted in pots and placed on sunny windowsills. When it's warm enough they'll be moved into the greenhouse to "harden up" to the environment and then finally (after the New Moon in May) it's into the garden they go! This year we've planted tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, basil, tomatillos, zinnias and Mexican Sunflowers. Seeds are such a miracle as they hold the template for the entire plant; for it's stems, roots, leaves, fruit and its' seeds which begin the cycle once again. For us the new cycle has also begun at the first call of spring. The sun is now in the sign of Aries which signifies new beginnings on the Astrological wheel. We wake up from our winter's rest, ready to do some spring housecleaning and then venture outside to play in the dirt! It's a glorious time in the garden, fresh with the promise of the summer fruit to come. May you all have a fruitful season in this new year and I'll see you next month in the garden...

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