Before we know it, breezy days will bring in sneezy hues of pollen, temperatures will rise, and neighbors will suddenly begin sitting out on their porches again, watching as their gardens sprout, blossom and grow into various fruits, vegetables and flowers. While Spring is a beautiful time to garden and a popular time to clean, what lies in those few weeks prior can make a significant difference in the outcome of our garden come Summer and Fall. (For my people in the south, I know it’s already arrived, so bear with me!)

For example, many of us spend time focusing on the outcome of our garden, planning dishes, meals, or flower arrangements before we know what the harvest will look like. We can get so caught up in the final product that we forget to tend to the soil prior to planting the seeds.

I used this analogy to teach a garden-themed yoga class last week, and wanted to take a quick dive into what needs to be addressed before we put our seeds in the ground, and how it translates to the body and mind:

• Light exposure - physically and energetically speaking, we absolutely need light. The sun provides Vitamin D, lifts our mood, boosts the immune system and improves sleeping patterns. Our garden can quickly become toxic if we aren’t giving it proper light and engaging in relationships that lift our spirits (energetic light).

• Size and space - we should always consider the size of the garden we are planning. If we allow one crop to take up the entirety of our garden space, we are not allowing room for other crops that are just as important, and limiting ourselves from potential new learning experiences.

• Condition of the soil - now, getting to the soil. If our soil is dried up and cracking, or completely soaked and growing mold, what type of life-giving experiences can take place there?

• What type of seeds will be planted - this consideration goes hand-in-hand with size and space, except thinking more specifically of our needs. We should periodically check in with ourselves and notice our strengths, then allow those strengths to enlighten us about what could possibly need a bit more attention in order for us to grow our best and most organic garden.

• Nourishment for the soil - how can we be more mindful about nourishment? When we tune in to our bodies, we are able to listen to exactly what we need. Sometimes shortcuts are convenient, but in the long-run we know the quality of the garden will decrease if we continue to substitute convenience for nourishment.

• Nurturing the soil - once we have done all of the above, we have created a system that allows us to nurture the garden for years to come–providing long-lasting care that allows not only survival, but care and sustainability for our garden.

• Allowing the soil to rest - may your rest revitalize your garden in ways you didn’t know possible.

• Prepping the seeds to be planted - while some seeds can literally be planted directly into the ground, it is important to note some require more tender, loving care. Give yourself permission to provide that care, potting the seeds separately and allowing them to germinate in a safe, warm environment before exposing them to the full garden. When we do this, we build a relationship with ourselves and our garden that says we can trust ourselves to provide compassion, and use it as a building block toward a deeper relationship with ourselves, our gardens, and our surroundings.

What other tips would you add for prepping the “garden” for Spring? What is the state of your soil right now, and what types of preparation do you plan to do? Let us know in the comments.