Winter Still a Time for Growing

Ah January. Once the parties and resolutions are over, it’s not a month with a lot to offer, it seems. Here in the northern hemisphere, it’s the depths of winter, with spring still too far off to see on the horizon. Yes, the days are growing slowly longer, but sunset still comes early and the cold lingers long. It’s not surprising, then, that one’s thoughts can turn to green and gardens, even as the Earth hits the snooze alarm and rolls over to continue Her nap.

For winter is still a time for growing, even if warm soil and sunshine seem far away. In the days before the internet, January was when seed catalogs began to arrive in the mail, and many a chilly afternoon could be spent poring over them, planning for the season ahead. These days, you’re as likely to do your planning online, and January is the perfect time to do it.

As our mission statement declares, Dakini Trading believes in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit with nature. Our aim is to help you create a peaceful atmosphere by focusing on those small touches that can turn your home into a respite from the world outside. Gardening indoors with houseplants can help us refocus, be more mindful of the present and cope better with daily stress.

Houseplants inspire creativity, reduce depression and anxiety, promote healing, clean indoor air and improve the health of your home. And if that weren’t enough, they add texture, height, and visual interest to your décor. While south-facing windows are ideal for most houseplants, any nearby bright window should do.

Greenery can help bolster productivity levels and creativity; great for those who work from home. In fact, I’m writing this facing a window framed by a spider plant and a vining philodendron, a view I’ve not tired of yet. They certainly help boost the visual appeal of my often messy desk area!

If you’re fortunate enough to have a yard, and the time to set up a proper garden, January is a great time to get a head start on the growing season. Or maybe you have no more than a balcony or sunny window to work with. Wherever your living situation falls on this spectrum, adding plants to your home will help improve your living conditions and get you through the bleakest part of winter.

Online resources can help in the planning process, but don’t overlook your local library. Imagine spending a dreary afternoon curled in your favorite chair, leafing through books on indoor and outdoor plant care, making notes on plants you’d like to add and how to propagate them. Or start a Pinterest board to gather favorite ideas from around the web. Even those with little to no outdoor space of their own can grow windowsill herbs, edible sprouts or microgreens.

I hope these suggestions will inspire you to add some greenery to your living space. Whether you’re starting tomato plants from seed or rooting cuttings from existing houseplants, bringing the natural world into your home is a great way to unwind, de-stress, and create a safe haven of tranquility in a challenging world.

Like this post? Drop me a comment or suggestion for similar articles in the future. Or check out some of my favorite gardening articles on Pinterest here. And until next time, I leave you with perfect love and faerie dust.

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