Rest, It's Still Winter
Another blanket of snow quiets the earth Shhh, it’s not time yet Seeds cling to edges of echinacea cones Food for the birds Keep gathering (strength & seeds) Winter is still here The quiet cold slips in while dreams of spring press gently at the door Keep resting, winter whispers Gently, be gentle It is almost time
As winter draws to a close, it’s important to find balance in the rush to get a jump start on our growing season. Let’s continue to embrace the quiet stillness of these last winter days. Recently, I attended a tea ceremony and realized how little we pause in our day. Some cultures have built-in rest: the common quiet hours in Greece, the Chinese midday nap, and Spanish siestas. Others create a time to simply savor tea quietly or as a shared experience, like in Morocco, India, and the UK.
Here, we push on. This season, I’m learning the value of rest and the simple joy of sitting with tea. Afternoon naps and tea parties? Yes, please. Rest is important work. Sometimes, when doing less, we can actually accomplish more. Here are a few rhythms that will help us dig deeper as we prepare for the upcoming gardening season. I’m excited to share a post on each one in the next few weeks:
Sow poppies. Every garden needs a little magic. Grab a handful of seeds and scatter them right on top of the snow.
Dream and observe. See what is in your garden this winter season and begin to dream about how to improve your winter landscape for future years.
Redefine “tidy.” Listen to our pollinators and birds. This will impact how we manage our landscapes.
Leave seed heads. They hold stories that are important for our survival.
Remove invasives. Use this quiet reflective time to identify invasive species and understand the impact that they have on your neighborhood as birds feed on their fruits and spread them in our natural areas.
Join me as I practice these rhythms in an effort to be connected with Mother Earth. 2026 is bringing a variety of garden experiences, including a walkthrough of my property, an online design class, workshops, and speaking engagements. Explore upcoming events here!
