There’s something about the first day of spring that just feels like a fresh start. The air is different—lighter, full of promise. The days stretch a little longer, the sun feels warmer on my skin, and suddenly, everything that felt stagnant in winter begins to move again.
For me, spring is a season of renewal, not just in nature, but in my own life. It’s when I start reorganizing my backyard—preparing the space for what will soon be a flourishing garden. March is all about the groundwork: buying wood chips, cleaning up the yard, and making space for planting. It’s a slow but deeply satisfying process, one that reminds me of home—Haiti, Port-de-Paix countryside—where growing food in your own backyard was just a way of life.
March: The Month of Preparation
Right now, my focus is on getting the soil ready. Winter left its mark—fallen leaves, tangled weeds, and a backyard that’s begging for attention. Before I can plant anything, I need to clear the space, lay down fresh wood chips, and map out where everything will go. I can already picture it:
- Rows of veggies and root vegetables—carrots, beets, yucca, potatoes, onions, and maybe even some callaloo if I can get my hands on seeds.
- Herbs for cooking and healing—basil, thyme, mint, and lemongrass.
- Flowers, because beauty matters too—marigolds to protect the garden, sunflowers to reach for the sky, and maybe some bougainvillea’s and hibiscus, a reminder of home.
This is more than just a hobby for me—it’s a step closer to my homesteading dream. Back in Haiti, having food growing in your yard wasn’t something special—it was normal. Everyone I knew had plantain trees, mangoes, avocados, or a small garden full of things they could eat. You didn’t have to go far to find fresh food; it was just there, part of everyday life.
Now, living far from where I grew up, I find myself wanting that again—the connection to the land, the satisfaction of growing my own food, the ability to walk outside and pick something fresh from my garden.
Spring as a Reminder to Grow
Spring has a way of making you think about where you are and where you want to be. Just like the garden, life needs preparation, patience, and care. Some seasons are for planting, some are for growing, and some are for harvesting. Right now, I’m in the preparation phase, both in my garden and in my life.
So, as I spend this month cleaning, planning, and dreaming, I remind myself: this is just the beginning. The best things take time, and just like those seeds I’ll soon plant, I’m growing too.
What’s your spring looking like? Are you planting anything this year? 🌿💛
Until next time,
Xoxo,
JPP
