Celebrating Springtime

For some, January 1 marks the start of a new year filled with eager beginnings, plans, and action, while others look to the seasons to dictate fresh starts — finding stillness during winter and rediscovering movement with the start of spring. 

With the spring equinox officially upon us, we at Petite North Fork are welcoming the change of the seasons and celebrating the gentle newness all around. To inspire us, we looked to the most seasonally-tuned-in momma we know, Kirsten Kesicki whose business, Yard Crop, designs, builds, plants, and maintains backyard produce gardens on the North Fork. With two young children of her own, we knew there was no better person to chat with on welcoming and celebrating the spring equinox with kids in tow than her.

“Celebrating spring is always marked by a family meeting where we daydream about what we will grow in our garden this season, which then leads to planting sugar snap peas during the first week of spring and cold hearty flowers like pansies, too,” Kirsten shared. “We are planning on making a seasonal feast together with ingredients like overwintered arugula and kale from the garden, stored tomato sauce from last season's garden to brighten up a pasta dish and freshly baked bread, then enjoy it by candlelight while we talk about our goals for spring.

Connected

For Kirsten and her petite crew, springtime is an important time to connect to the earth through a variety of practices each with the goals of staying present, being mindful, and elevating mood.

“Connecting with the earth throughout spring can be so rewarding! Make the most of the season by practicing barefoot grounding exercises together on warmer days to wake up your senses and appreciate the earth beneath your feet,” said Kirsten. “Going outside even on the still cold days, can be a real brain and mood booster for the whole family even if it's for a short while. Take advantage of the later sunset time by going on an after-dinner walk or if it's warm enough, enjoy al fresco meals in the garden together.”

Inspired

“As patrons of our delicate planet, the new season of spring provides an important reminder that what we do here truly matters,” Kirsten shared. “We are given this gift of spring once more, it's another chance to do the right thing. Regardless of your religious or spiritual belief system, this time of year is a pure delight for the spirit and soul to watch the transformation and rebirth happening around us in our sacred spaces right in our own backyards. For me and my family, spring offers another chance to keep bettering our planet and our community so that we can continue to witness and enjoy these daily moments of nature's wonder.”

Encouraged

While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the excitement and actions of planning and doing that spring brings, Kirsten reminded us that there is no need to rush.

“Sometimes the start of spring can be overwhelming. We can be pushed by societal norms to rush into a new state of mind and get bogged down by a fast-paced ‘do it all’ mentality. Try to resist that urge and instead enjoy the variations of springtime,” Kirsten said. “If you're just starting your spring goal list or garden planning and are feeling behind, do not be discouraged. Spring is a great time to be reminded that fresh starts can happen at any time, there is no perfect time. Start small and go at your own pace,” she added.

Kirsten’s favorite ways to welcome spring with children

• Go on a nature walk together to look for signs of spring. When you walk at a slow pace, you can spot all the tiny sprouts, buds, textures, and colors coming alive in your neighborhood or local trail. Depending on the child's age, you can make this activity more advanced by bringing a notebook for children to write or draw observations in. If you repeat this activity week after week, the whole family will be amazed by the transformation that occurs within the first few weeks of spring right before your eyes.

• Build an outdoor fairy house using all foraged materials to welcome the spring fairies to your yard. Using natural elements tucked together closely, it also acts as a home for pollinators and other wildlife looking for shelter.

• Make and fill bird feeders while willing resident birds to nest in our trees so you can witness the life cycle of their future hatchlings. Listening to and observing resident birds can be a fascinating activity for little ones — using a bird book to identify the different species, echoing their sounds, watching them hunt for food, and making their nests.

• Planting sugar snap peas is a simple and great way to start an edible garden. Pro tip: soak your snap peas overnight to speed up germination. Fewer things taste more like spring than a fresh pea foraged in your own garden. 

• Starting a compost pile or compost bin is a great spring activity that is also a great Earth Day initiative. Teaching your family about food waste and how to give it back to your land is invaluable. Racing to fill up a wheelbarrow of collected plant debris and fallen leaves for your compost pile can be a rewarding game, too!