Everything Greens

There is a Season

Sometimes in our very busy world, it is easy to forget that we came from nature and we are still a part of nature.  Underneath our sweaters and Starbucks beats a heart that longs to follow nature’s rhythms.

Those of us who garden and spend time in nature, see these rhythms play out year after year and even we can get caught up in our human-made mantra of “Go! Go! Go!”.  Afterall, bosses have deadlines for us, Target has sales for us, plane seats have tickets for us, how could we possibly deny the pull of the world we created?

But every once in a while, if you’re really lucky, you can answer winter’s call to slow down, to breathe, to reassess, and to make plans.

Gardeners in our area are already doing it to some level.  Our beloved beds are sleeping and waiting (and still growing kale?!?!) while we sit inside dreaming of and planning next year’s garden.  Picking our plants, ordering our seeds, and fantasizing about little green shoots popping through the pungent and barely warmed soil.

Of course, we here at Downtown Greens are following this rhythm.  This past year was another doozy in a long line of doozies.  But now nature and our gardens have slowed down to slumber.  And while we aren’t slumbering, we are taking a moment to create plans for our plans.  The 56 acres is protected and paid for. The mad race to raise the money and jump through paperwork hoops is over.  Step 1, the very biggest step, is complete. And now, in the deep of winter, we are cuddled up (metaphorically, nothing weird) making plans, writing out details, and preparing for the next season.

We are always aware and amazed by the fact that the plans being made now wouldn’t be feasible without the support of the community we serve.  We are so excited for the next season and hope you will join us and support us in the seasons to come. May your winter be restful.

Janet Douberly is Media Manager and Garden Advisor at Downtown Greens.

This article was first published in the January 2024 edition of Front Porch Magazine. To view the full publication visit www.frontporchfredericksburg.com

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