Simple ways to celebrate the arrival of Spring
Nature is slowly awakening with the arrival of the Spring Equinox here in the northern hemisphere. Snowdrops emerged in swathes in February, with host of golden daffodils following, providing the first real touch of colour after the pared back muted tones of winter. Early spring blossom and the sight of swallows are another sure sign of the turn of the season. The once bare, frost-covered branches have new buds and shoots, while the dawn chorus has once again become a welcome start to the day.
Nature is our best teacher and following the lead of flora and fauna, this is a wonderful time of renewal and rebirth; a great time to make plans, gradually building our energy for the year ahead. I’ve put together a few simple ways to celebrate and embrace the arrival of Spring.
“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.”
pLANT SPRING BULBS
Summer-flowering bulbs provide some beautiful blooms and Spring is the best time to plant them. They look great growing in borders, bowls, ramekins, vintage pots or in a window box. They also make wonderful cut flowers, so you can enjoy freshly-picked blooms to brighten your home. If you don’t usually do much gardening, this is a lovely way to start and brings huge satisfaction, growing something of your own.
GO ON A WALK
This is a great time of year for spotting new growth when out walking. Look out for catkins, new shoots and buds appearing; the first signs of Spring on the way. If you walk the same route regularly, you’ll start to see changes in the hedgerows as the landscape goes from brown and beige to luscious green. Keeping a nature diary to take notes of what you see throughout the year as the seasons change can be a great way to reconnect with nature and your local environment.
SPRING CLEAN
As the temperatures slowly rise, this is the ideal time to throw open your windows and doors, clear shelves and cupboards and get rid of any clutter. Try making your own natural surface cleaner using this recipe (with thanks to Hannah Bullivant): Mix the following in a spray bottle; 1 cup water, 1/2 cup Vodka (the cheapest stuff available), 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/3 cup liquid castille soap, approx 15 drops tea tree or lemon oil (has antiseptic qualities).
REFRESH YOUR WARDROBE
It’s easy to forget about clothes that you wore last Spring, so it’s time to get them out of your wardrobe or storage and remind yourself of what you have. Decide on the clothes that make you feel good and any that don’t or no longer fit, bag up for charity. Give your favourite bits an iron and an airing ready to wear when the weather is warmer. You could even consider doing a clothes swap with friends to refresh what you have, without spending anything.
BRING THE OUTSIDE IN
There are many ways you can bring in a touch of nature to your home. Flowering branches like magnolia or any sort of blossom look glorious in vases. Or why not make a Spring wreath using foraged sprigs of greenery, an assortment of flowers - anything you can find in your garden really.
eAT SEASONALLY
We’ve gotten so used to having any food we want at any time of the year, but out-of-season produce requires flying it in from overseas, or using intensive farming practices such as greenhouses and pesticides to force them to grow year-round. Both of these use lots of resources and come with huge carbon footprints. Eating local and seasonal food is not only more healthy and tasty (the flavours and nutrients have fully developed so they're crunchy, sweet and the best they can be) but better for the environment. Look out for cauliflower, kale, leeks, purple sprouting broccoli, rhubarb, spinach, spring onions, wild nettles and wild garlic amongst other fruit and veg this season.
“Seasonal living is all about taking care to notice the delicate changes in our environment and adjusting the way we live in response. For me seasonal living is not just an ethos or an idea I return to every once in a while, but a way of life. When you live by the seasons, life is simple and seems to boast a deeper sense of purpose; if nature has existed in this way for thousands of years, then why shouldn’t we?”
BIRD WATCH
As Spring arrives, our gardens begin to transform. With earlier sunrises and warmer temperatures, birds suddenly seem louder and livelier - you may even spot a few new faces. Migrant birds like swallows and wheatears are arriving in the UK at the end of epic journeys. Rise just before dawn to hear the blackbirds, robins, wrens and an orchestra of other birds heralding the new day. Even if you don’t know much about birds, just noticing birdsong, for example, is a great way to be in the present moment.
WEAR SEASONAL JEWELLERY
Wearing jewellery inspired by the seasons is a beautiful way of honouring the changes happening in the natural world and grounding us in the present. We are intrinsically linked to nature and wearing pieces of jewellery that connect us to the season we’re in reminds us of the subtle changes happening around us helping anchor us in the here and now.
