Over the weekend, spring landed in Poulsbo.  At least that is when I noticed it.  Spring break just ended, the NCAA tournament has wrapped up, and I took a few days off of work.  I went out to the yard and landed on my hands and knees, and started pulling weeds.  The ground was slightly wet and the little sprouts came up easily, one after another.  I actually like this chore.  There’s a certain rhythm to it, and it brings peace to my soul.

I remember my first attempt as a kid. My mom let us all have a patch out in our huge garden, and my brothers and I gave it our best shot. I was 8 years old, and I remember kneeling in the dark dirt, carefully dropping seeds in the little row I made. I think I planted bush beans and corn, and then for the next few months, I watched and weeded, carefully learning the difference between my new plants and the sneaky weeds. My knees were dirty, and my hands just couldn’t be cleaned, but I learned the lessons of gardening: the waiting, the preparation, and the harvest. It left an impression on me, that still comes to life in spring each year.

Just this year, I planted some seeds. As always, this is a process. First, the early hardy plants that do not mind coming up in the still biting days of March. The spinach, snow peas, and arugula are all growing, sprouting and showing off their first leaves to the ever lengthening days. The lettuce, multiple varieties, kale, and swiss chard are just poking through the surface. Just in are the beets, radish, and squash. Soon more seeds will go in, and then comes the faith. This is an essential ingredient to gardening. You do some work, but the real work happens as nature does its thing. Sunlight and growth. Then there’s some failure. Some seeds don’t make it. Some plants fall victim to bugs, rabbits and the like. Some make it though, and produce a great harvest. No better food exists then what comes straight out of your own garden. Few things are more satisfying then that first delicious salad.

This time of year is a natural time to consider new beginnings. Nature is doing it so why not jump in? Plant a garden, even if it’s just a few seeds in a pot on the porch. Not only does it produce some good food, but patience and faith that lasts a lifetime.