For years, I’ve skipped the whole early spring planting ritual. You know the one—those cheerful little violas, pansies, daffodils, and primulas that brave the inconsistent temperatures of March and early April.

My reasoning was based mostly on being practical:

• Our temperatures don’t reliably stay above freezing until mid-April
• I thought why go through all that effort for only about 4 weeks of enjoyment?

But this year I finally decided to embrace the fleeting beauty of early spring. Maybe it was the particularly long winter, or more likely just a bigger desire this year for some early spring colour.

My compromise? Starting in late-March with a few small planters on the back patio. I intentionally kept them portable—small enough to bring into the greenhouse when temperatures are expected to dip below freezing.

And you know what? It’s amazing the impact on my overall mood.  Even after a slight ice storm in late March, bringing these pots out in the early morning really filled me with joy. Sometimes gardening isn’t just about maximizing the season—it’s about celebrating each moment of it. Something I plan to do more of going forward.