Thoughts of spring sprouting

Continuing on my train of thought from last week, I am blazing ahead with my visualizing of spring.

I know it’s still a bit nippy out there, with grey skies and mucky fields, but never fear, spring is fast approaching.

In case you’re not feeling the warmth of spring in your heart yet, I have a few ideas for you. I’m trying to appeal to everyone here, so I have a few different themes.

Are you an animal lover? Many pets get spring fever, wanting to get outside when the weather starts to warm; however, you may not want to deal with mucky paws after an outdoor adventure. So how about chickens?

What creature symbolizes spring better than a chick? I was fascinated to discover that baby chicks can be shipped (safely) by post. You can lawfully have backyard chickens if you have a lot that is at least half an acre.

In case that is too much of a commitment, there is Rent The Chicken.  

You might think I’m kidding, but these guys will deliver your rental birds for a six-month term, all equipment included. If you chicken out, they will take the birds back – but just think, you could have eight to 14 freshly laid eggs every week.

Maybe you are a gardener. Do you plant according to the moon? (Are you afraid I’ve gone off my rocker?) It really is a thing, you know.

The Farmer’s Almanac has long included best planting dates with the lunar schedule as part of its wisdom. The basic principle is that flowers and vegetables bearing crops above ground should be planted in the days leading up to the full moon, and those bearing crops below ground are planted after the full moon.

Old-time farmers swear that this produces bigger and tastier crops. I for one am going to give it a try this year.

I don’t want to scare people off, so I’ll offer a more straightforward idea as well. Since spring cleaning often means a bit of redecorating and freshening up, how about a lovely bit of home décor? This crafty project could be made or purchased.

Wreaths are a welcome decoration any time of year, and heralding a season is often their purpose. Their circular form gives us that sense of continuity, and being made of greenery they symbolize life. 

Just as a wreath on the door is the first sign of welcome at Christmas, a spring wreath can be a welcome reminder that new things are on the way. I found this article a while back through Lee Valley and I loved the suggested variations presented. 

Whatever your style, your taste of spring can be part of the evolution of the year. Embrace fresh colours in your wardrobe, on your plate, in your home and garden; the vitality will flow to your soul and warm you from the inside, melting winter’s frost.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.