I use our vegetables as a barometer for many things in my life. Most of all, our farm tells me if I am willing to see reality for what it is, or if I am avoiding paying attention. This is another way of asking if I am grounded, literally and figuratively.

Of course, I’m never completely grounded.

Most of all, a great growing season is about paying attention and directing your attention with enough focus and consistency to see things through to your plate, the plate of a neighbour, animal, or community member.

Sometimes lack of attention is because I can’t act on what I see. I don’t have capacity or time, and it’s painful to look at failures again and again.

A great season happens when I look at our beds and ask, what can I do to make things better today? And what can I do that will help things tomorrow, or next month? Growing vegetables takes far more time and attention than fruit trees, herbs, or even certain staple crops.

It is ok not to have capacity for everything: I think a great season happens when we give attention and care to ourselves and our plants, in a sort of dance. It doesn’t mean nothing is every neglected, or disease never takes hold. A great season is when I know I’ve improved the level of my attention and care, and where I’ve seen crops through from beginning to end.

When I do this, I remember that for at least a couple of thousand years, for better or worse, most of the population has grown their own food. And while I may be a generation or two removed from that heritage, I surely am built of the same stuff as my ancestors. So probably I just have to do the next thing! Usually, I just need to give consistent time to my vegetables every day, a little every day.

I am absolutely certain you can do the same.

Look at your plants, see if you can tell what they need, and try to give it to them. If they are dead or dying, move on quickly. Cycles of life and death are good and normal, and if you caused a premature death, forgive yourself and move on.

It is a serious thing that we are doing, growing food, but it is also light and joyful. Because otherwise we will stop doing it, and we must not stop.

Practically speaking: you can start planting seeds now if you have a spot with some extra warmth or light. You can plant out a second round of winter seedlings, and then begin with summer seedlings as well. Cucurbits, peppers, brinjal/eggplants generally dislike cold, so you can wait a month or so before starting.

If you have plentiful saved seed, hedge your bets and plant over several weeks. If you have precious, purchased, heirloom seed, wait longer before you plant. If you are a beginner, have lots of redundancy plans. If you are an experienced grower, have even more redundancy plans. While our sunroom and tunnel is already packed with seedlings, I have also ordered trays of more difficult to grow seedlings from our wholesale nursery. Because having a plan B and a plan C and D means you can hold mistakes more lightly.

You’ll still be able to grow and eat, no matter what pestilences befall you.

Here’s to that process, and to growing together through the spring.

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