As we get into March, the weather improves and we start to prepare for the clocks to go back, it’s time to acknowledge that winter is coming to an end and spring is here!
Today we’re taking a look at some of the things you can do to take advantage of the new season and really enjoy the spring as it comes in.
Spring in the Kitchen
One great way to keep in touch with the seasons is to cook seasonally. Look a little beyond the supermarket – if you can find a good greengrocer or a veg box scheme, their stock will be much more reflective of what’s growing and being harvested right now. Early spring is a difficult time – the ‘hungry gap’ where local fresh fruit and vegetables are limited, but there are still treasures to be found – blood oranges at the end of winter, the first forced rhubarb, and then asparagus, broccoli, strawberries and all the bounty of the oncoming summer!
Getting Outdoors
As the weather improves it’s a great opportunity to get back into the great outdoors. If you’re someone who finds winter a difficult journey, then it’s vital to capitalise on the lengthening days, rising temperature and the signs of spring that start to festoon the world. You don’t need to take a long hike in the countryside – just a walk up and down your street will get you a higher dose of vitamin D and give you the chance to look for opening buds and new green leaves.
If you want a more structured day out off the couch, it’s worth looking into the different activities available for you. Walking and hiking clubs can give you some company on adventures into the wild, or if you’re interested in a family day out, something like a Treasure Trails scavenger hunt can turn an afternoon walk into an adventure.
In the Garden
Spring brings plenty of jobs to do in the garden that help to get you outside and keep you in touch with the changing seasons. It’s a good time to deal with the mess winter has left behind: lingering fallen leaves, plants that have died back in the cold or overgrown their spot while you’ve been staying cosy indoors.
If you have a patio or a deck it’s time to prepare it for a busy spring and summer with a thorough sweep or even a powerwash. Bear in mind that sweeping allows you to keep the debris to feed to your compost heap.
It’s a good time for replanting. A trip to the garden centre can furnish you with new plants to nurse on into the summer, and if you didn’t plant bulbs in the autumn, seasonal displays of daffodils, bluebells and snowdrops to fill the gaps!