In winter’s stillness, when life feels paused and darkness endless, planning a garden becomes an act of quiet rebellion—summoning hope, light, and possibility into the dark. 

For me living in the Pacific Northwest, winter is always a challenge. The lack of light demands a strict routine of wellness rituals just to keep the darkness from consuming me. I know many of you feel the same, which is why I want to share something that recently reignited my spark. It started simply, as I began planning my 2025 garden.

Something about the process—whether distraction or passion—shifted my perspective. My optimism returned, and I felt inspired.

Let me take you into this process—a practice that’s brought me light in the darkest season and might do the same for you.

The Mood-Boosting Power of Garden Planning

Have you ever felt the instant mood boost of booking a vacation? The thrill that follows as you research destinations, plan your itinerary, and imagine the experience—all of which seem to transport you to that future adventure, even before you leave?

Studies show that planning a trip can bring as much joy as the trip itself. The same principle applies to planning a garden—or any project, really. The excitement lies in looking forward to what’s ahead.

As someone who wrestles with the winter blues every year, I’ve discovered that immersing myself in a meaningful project—one rich with details and possibilities—can measurably lift my spirits.

Planning my garden has become my refuge, transporting me from the cold, gray present to a sunlit world where warmth kisses my skin, soil crumbles between my fingers, and fragrant lavender blooms, draw in fuzzy bumblebees with their gentle hum.

The Beginnings of My 2025 Garden

My process is both structured and intuitive, I love crafting detailed plans just as much as I love gently breaking some rules. I began this year’s garden plan by jumping into the world of permaculture, immersing myself in research on medicinal herbs, fruits, and vegetables, fueled by an obsessive curiosity in all the best ways.

✦ One of my first steps was ordering Gaia’s Garden, a book I ran across while researching. I’ll let you know how it measures up once I’ve finished reading it.

✦ Then came the fun part—choosing the seeds. I was hoping to find locally sourced varieties, and lucky me, I stumbled upon Adaptive Seeds, a Pacific Northwest company based in Oregon that specializes in open-pollinated, organic seeds. Their catalog completely pulled me in; I lost myself in a three-hour flow state, reading about their unique offerings and envisioning the garden they could bring to life. Finally, I settled on a selection that felt just right for this year’s garden.

✦ Next—though it probably should have been my first step—I paused to reflect on last season’s garden (a bit out of order, but true to my intuitive, rule-breaking nature). I thought about what thrived, what flopped, the lessons learned, and how I’d approach things differently this year.

✦ Finally, I sketched out my plans—pen to paper, creative and messy. The important thing was to pull these ideas from the swirling currents of my mind and anchor them into reality. There’s such power in committing something to paper; once written, an idea can no longer drift away, lost in the recesses of memory. It now has form—a tangible beginning.

✦ That’s where I am right now—in the beginning stages, where possibility feels endless. It’s a wonderful place to be. This project has become exactly what I needed: a distraction from the winter blahs, a remedy for the heaviness of the season, and a vehicle carrying me away from the darkness into the light.

(At the end of this post, you’ll find a full list of the seeds I purchased and a sketch of my garden plans—a sneak peek into what’s ahead and a source of inspiration for your own projects.)

Your Garden Begins Here: Simple Tips to Get Started

If you’re feeling the weight of winter and longing to escape the blahs, starting a garden project might be just the thing to bring some light back into your days—and I’ve got a few tips to help you get started.

1. Let yourself get obsessed.
   Passion is nourishment for the soul. Dive into the idea wholeheartedly and let it consume you in the best possible way.

2. Focus on possibilities, not limitations.
   A garden can take many forms: a thriving farm, a humble backyard plot, pots on a patio, or even a single windowsill. Projects don’t need to be grand to be meaningful.

3. Make it your own.
   Draw inspiration from others, but avoid falling into the trap of comparison. Trust your intuition to guide you. Your unique perspective is a gift, and no one else can create what you’re here to bring into the world.

4. Commit to paper.
   Anchor your plan in reality by writing it down or sketching it out. Paper holds your energy in a way digital tools can’t.

5. Wander, get lost, and come alive.
   Let yourself be captivated by the process and notice how it shifts your energy, slowly bringing light back into your soul.

What’s Next

Consider starting your own project. There’s so much happening in the world—things we can’t control, from the darkness of the winter season to the chaos of current events. The landscape can feel brutal at times, but we always have power over the space right beneath our feet.

A garden can be a healing distraction, a small but meaningful act of rebellion, and a way to add a little goodness to the world.

I’d love to see your garden project—share it with me in all its obsessive, creative, messy beauty. Let’s celebrate the process, imperfections and all.

In the next installment, we’ll adventure into the doing—the hands-in-the-dirt, seeds-in-the-ground part. I hope you’ll stay tuned for the next chapter.