Exploring Nature: Welcoming Spring with a Garden

Spring is revealing its beautifully bright colors all along the trails and river. It’s a refreshing feeling to see extended daylight, flowers blooming, birds preparing their nests, and the town enjoying the banks of the river with friends and family.

Like bears coming out of hibernation, we are feeling energized and hungry for growth, sunshine, and new beginnings! Inch by inch we made our way back outside—basking in the sun, playing outdoors, lounging in the hammock, and sitting on the porch, patiently watching this year’s bird family meticulously build its nest in the same spot year after year.

Spring is a great time for families to start working on their gardens. After building a raised garden bed to plant our seeds, we took a trip to the San Marcos Public Library to pick up several books on gardening. Our favorite was Plant the Tiny Seed written by Christie Matheson. This book teaches young readers how flowers sprout and mature. The illustrations are filled with sweet, bright water coloring. The text in the book is interactive, allowing the reader to clap, tap, and wiggle to encourage participation in the magical stages of growing flowers.

While at the library, we spotted an amazing display located at the check-out desk of Booker and his friends hiking the trails. We loved the attention to detail of the display; the kids noted the bluebonnets, mushrooms, and the use of wood and recycled material used to create it. Encouraging all to get outside and take a hike, Booker provides a list of his favorite hikes using a QR code, and if you send a picture of yourself hiking, you can score a free Booker Bookmark!

There are so many health benefits that can come from growing a garden together. It can facilitate connection and encourage social interaction. Everyone participates and has a part in achieving a common goal; it provides a sense of responsibility and accomplishment for all members. Gardening together is good for our overall health and has a positive impact on our environment. We are looking forward to watching our garden grow!!

Written by SMGA member Christina Casas-Moreno.