Embracing the Dark Days: Beauty and Balance in the Garden's Quiet Season
Until recently, I never really understood why people love living in an area that has all four seasons. New friends would move to Nashville and exude excitement for fall, winter, snowflakes and “sweatah-weathah.” But if you had asked me, I would have chosen summer any day, all day, all year long. I love sunshine, swimming, dinner on the grill, and spaghetti straps, and I cringe to think of the dark days of fall and winter when the trees are bare and my fingers are frigid.
To that end, in my old life as a high school teacher, I would work extra hard during the winter. The “dark to dark days,” we teachers called the winter season. I entered the school building at 6:30 before the sun came up, and I exited after the sun had set. I hunkered down to wait for spring, grading mountains of papers and grateful only for heaters, hats, and fur-lined slippers. Winter was always such a slog.
But since leaving the classroom and opening this garden biz, I’m outside more, engaging with both the sun and the snow, and I am watching plants constantly. As a gardener, I remember that every season has a purpose, and winter should not be faced with my head down and shoulders hunched. The garden, still growing — but slowly now, reminds me that rest is a natural part of life’s rhythm. Beneath the soil, roots continue to grow stronger, preparing for the renewal that spring will bring. Likewise, I’ve learned to focus on nurturing myself and making plans for the coming year.
Here are three wellness tips that have kept my body and spirit flourishing in recent winters:
1. Stay Active in Nature
Even as the weather turns crisp and frosty, spending time outside has immense benefits for our well-being. I love bundling up to turn the compost on cold winter days. Before long, my coat and hat come off, and I’m knee-deep in musty goodness that emits steam as it breaks down— so neat! It’s also worth noting that Tennessee winters are not as extreme as I once judged: There are so many t-shirt and jeans kind of days in December, January and February— no need to hunker down and hibernate! There are tools to scrub down, flower beds to plan out!
2. Celebrate Seasonal Eating
As gardeners, we have a deep appreciation for the cycles of growth and harvest, and this extends to the foods we enjoy during the colder months. Embracing seasonal eating nourishes our bodies with the flavors of the season. Root vegetables, winter squash, hearty greens, and stored preserves from your summer bounty offer comfort and warmth in every meal. Enjoy slow-cooked soups, roasted vegetables, and herbal teas made from your garden’s dried herbs.
3. Embrace Rest and Self-Care Rituals
Winter is a season for the roots—both those beneath the soil and the ones that anchor our spirit. It’s a time to turn inward, to nurture ourselves with candles on the coffee table and early bedtimes. Prioritize self-care in ways that make you feel nourished. Take breaks from the busyness of daily life to read books that inspire you, or enjoy a warm bath infused with dried lavender from your summer harvest. This is a perfect time to journal and reflect: What worked well in your garden this year, and what might you change? Are there new plant varieties you’re excited to try, or design ideas you’ve been daydreaming about?
As the cold months settle in, remember that winter is an essential part of life’s rhythm. I take heart in knowing that winter isn’t an absence of life; it’s a necessary pause that enriches the world in ways we can’t see. Our gardens will bloom again, nourished by this time of rest. And so will we. Until then, dream, plan, and nurture yourself with care, knowing that every moment of rest is preparing you—and your garden—for a beautiful season ahead.
May you find comfort and inspiration in the quiet season…
Sarah
Tennessee Kitchen Gardens
