by Cynthia Germain

There’s something about this time of year that feels like a celebration. As an avid gardener, I can confidently say: this is it—the sweet spot. The flowers are showing their best colors, the vegetable sprouts are boldly pushing through the soil, and the trees are lush and so very green. Everything is alive, awakening, and stretching toward the sun.

It may sound ironic, but there’s something special about welcoming spring in the autumn years of life. Just as nature hits her stride in the spring, so too can we. This season, with its bright colors and fresh scents, is a perfect invitation for older adults to connect with the outdoors, even if we’re not hauling wheelbarrows around like we used to.

Enjoying spring doesn’t require a green thumb, just a willing spirit. A potted geranium on the porch can bring joy every time you pass it. A few seeds in a sunny window pot can turn into herbs for your meals. Even a short stroll through your neighborhood or local park can be a sensory delight. Watch the bees bumble from flower to flower, feel the sun on your face, and let it all remind you that growth and joy are still very much within reach.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t tip my sunhat to the Door County Master Gardeners. Their dedication to spreading knowledge and beauty is something to also celebrate. Thanks to their free seed program, my garden has grown more vibrant and more bountiful than ever. Their plant sales, educational programs, and demonstration gardens are not only resources but invitations. They quietly, generously, make it easier for all of us to dig into the joy of gardening.

Whether you’re planting full beds of vegetables or simply sitting in the sun with a good book and a potted marigold, spring has something to offer you. It’s a season of lightness, of second chances, and of small miracles peeking out of the dirt.

So here’s my wish: that all older adults take just a few moments, or more, to notice and take part in this season’s unique magic. You don’t need to garden to feel the renewal that spring brings. Just open a window, take a walk, or plant a little something new in your life. After all, we’re never too old to bloom.