Welcoming Spring: Seasonal Plants, Ritual, and Renewal

As winter fades and the days grow longer, the arrival of spring brings a sense of renewal and fresh energy. The Spring Equinox, a time of balance between light and dark, is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature, embrace seasonal shifts, and prepare for the growing season ahead. In this post, we’ll explore sustainable ways to work with early spring plants, simple plant-based rituals to celebrate the equinox, and practical steps for spring gardening—all with a focus on local, foraged, and homegrown plants.

Seasonal Plants & Sustainability: Foraging in Early Spring

Early spring offers an abundance of plants that support renewal, balance, and cleansing.  And luckily in Portland, there is an abundance of wild plants you can forage for food and medicine:

• Nettle – A powerhouse for renewal, full of nutrients; great for pesto.

• Dandelion – Leaves ideal for spring tonics and salads.

• Chickweed – A nourishing green that’s great for fresh salads or mild herbal infusions.

• Miner’s Lettuce – A vitamin-rich wild green that adds freshness to spring meals.

• Fir Tips – Lightly citrusy and refreshing, adding a bright note to herbal teas; high in vitamin C.

• Hairy Bittercress – a member of the brassica family that can be used in salads or stir fries.

  
  

Foraging plants is a sustainable way to engage with the season, helping us reduce waste, connect with local ecosystems, and cultivate a deeper awareness of the land around us.

Early Spring Herbs for Herbal Teas and Tinctures Focused on Transition, Grounding, and Cleansing

As we shift from winter into spring, certain herbs help ease this transition, offering support for both body and mind. A few of the herbs below are great to forage or grow in your garden to add to your apothecary, for use in teas and tinctures, as we move into this season of growth:

• Nettle – A mineral-rich herb that supports vitality and overall renewal, perfect for a nourishing spring tonic.

• Cleavers – Gently detoxifying and refreshing, ideal for a cleansing tea blend.

• Dandelion Leaf & Root – Supports liver function and digestion, a classic cleansing herb.

• Violet Leaf – Gentle and soothing, perfect for grounding and emotional balance.

• Red Clover – A nourishing and balancing herb traditionally used for detoxification.

• Wild Rose Petals – A lightly floral addition that supports emotional well-being and renewal.

• Purple Dead Nettle – Some of the first foods for bees! This herb is helpful for allergies.

  
  

  These herbs can be combined into teas and tinctures that align with the natural rhythms of renewal, helping us transition smoothly into the longer days ahead.

  

  
  

Spring Equinox Rituals with Plants

With the Spring Equinox just around the corner, a time of balance and renewal, it's a perfect time to incorporate plants into simple, meaningful rituals. A few of my favorite ways to incorporate plants into spring equinox rituals are listed below. But have fun with this! Lean into your creativity and craft your own "rituals" with Mother Nature!

• Equinox Tea Ceremony: Brew an herbal tea blend with cleansing and grounding herbs to welcome new energy.

• Garden Intention Setting: Take a moment to plant seeds—literally and figuratively—by writing intentions for the season and burying them in the soil.

• Cleansing with Foraged Plants: Use plants like cedar to create a cleansing smoke bundle or bath, clearing out stagnant winter energy.

• Spring Nature Walk & Foraging: Spend time outdoors, mindfully observing the plant life emerging around you, and gather a few ethically foraged herbs for seasonal use.

• Arts and Crafts: Make some botanical art with abundant late winter/early spring plants like hellebore, fern, camellia, etc.

  
  

These rituals help us align with nature’s cycles, promoting renewal, balance, and growth—key themes of the season.

Preparing for Spring in Your Garden

Gardening in and of itself is a plant ritual - it helps facilitate a connection to nature, and calming of the body and mind. It also helps us cultivate nourishing food and medicine by our own hand! Spring is truly the season for growth! Late winter and early spring are ideal times to prepare your garden for a productive season. Whether you have a full yard or a small space, here are a few sustainable gardening actions to take now:

• Start Seeds Indoors: Get a head start on warm-season crops and herbs, especially if you live in an area with a short growing season.

• Build Healthy Soil: Add compost, mulch, or cover crops to enrich the soil naturally.

• Plant Early Spring Flower Seeds: Directly sowing flowers like poppy and bachelor buttons is also a garden task for early spring.

• Container Gardening: If you have limited space, container gardening is a great way to grow fresh herbs and edible plants. Building/buying and prepping your containers and raised beds now will help you get a jump on spring planting!

  
  

Food Seeds to Start in Early Spring

Spring is the perfect time to begin growing fresh food, whether in garden beds or containers. Here are a few seeds to start now in February (in Portland, zone 8b/9a):

• Leafy Greens – Lettuce, spinach, arugula, and kale thrive in the cool early spring weather.

• Root Vegetables – Radishes, carrots, and beets can be direct-seeded for an early harvest.

• Peas – Snap peas and shelling peas are hardy crops that grow well in the cool season. They are a nitrogen fixer, too!

• Herbs – Parsley, cilantro, and chives are great early spring herbs to start from seed. Other perennial herbs like thyme and sage can be started inside.

  
  

  

  
  

Are you ready to grow this spring?

Spring is a time of transformation—both in nature and in our own lives. By embracing seasonal plants, sustainable gardening practices, and simple rituals, we can honor this shift with intention and renewal. If you're looking for help starting your sustainable edible garden, I offer garden consultations, coaching, and design. I also offer plant-centered workshops in the Portland area as well.

🌿 Sending all the warm spring vibes, Gina (Founder of Vessel Kitchen Gardens)