Invite the Early Spring With All Your Senses

Hello, and welcome.

It’s almost February. The days are now lengthening noticeably, and some days it may even feel warm when the sun comes out. If you take time to notice these signs, your mood is bound to lift. Here are some suggestions for welcoming in the coming Spring, both in your home and while you’re out walking your dog:

Notice the clouds. Clouds are a wonderful harbinger of the weather to come. If you recognise them, you can become your own weather forecaster. 

Stratus clouds looks like sheet covering the sky above us, and tell of overcast or foggy days. Nimbus, grey thicker layers, mean rain or snow. Cirrus clouds—wispy featherlike strands—indicate fair weather, as do Cumulus clouds, those big white cotton balls.

Clock sunrise and sunset. What time did the sun rise today? When will it set? Knowing the times will encourage you to pause, and look up to see the day dawning or closing. You’ll also know how many more minutes of daylight you’ll enjoy each day.

Feed the birds. When Spring comes, the birds need food more than ever as they begin nesting, breeding and then feeding their young. 

Choose a spot that’s out of reach of predators—you could for example attach a flat square of wood near the top of a fence or garden wall—and offer a bit of grated mild cheese, or some soaked and softened raisins, or chunks or pear or apple. 

You may well be rewarded by their beautiful song.

Bring the outside in. Why not lengthen the time you enjoy nature’s awakening? If you have overwintered herbs, bring a sprig in to refresh your kitchen. Or purchase some potted herbs from your local garden centre. 

You’ll benefit particularly if you take a houseplant to your office or put one in your study. Tina Bringslimark at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences found a positive correlation between the presence of houseplants in the office and workers’ productivity and attendance.

Best of all, plant some seeds and keep the pot on your kitchen window sill, so you can watch the plant wake up in tune with the season.

Until next time,

Linda