“There's something satisfying about getting your hands in the soil.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Vocation of a Gadfly

 

In spite of the multitude of recent snow storms and remaining snow on the ground, spring is on the way, no thanks to groundhog Phil, in Punxsutawney. The reliable cycle of seasonal change is a welcome thought—let’s just hope we’re able to keep any further negative effects of climate change at bay before we have to alter the seasonal calendar. But I’m getting ahead of myself, because we will address climate change as our main topic in April.

 

What comes to mind for our March issue, looking out over snow-covered fields from my window, is that soon it will be planting season, and home gardeners will be tilling the soil and perhaps adding nutrient-dense peat moss to help re-nourish the same ground that was used last season for the tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and lettuce. That’s how we did it growing up, with Grandma’s help, in a hearty vegetable garden behind our garage.

 

Many farmers won’t be mixing peat moss into their large acreage fields, but instead will use chemical fertilizers for the nutrition needed by the crops which unfortunately, is not available in the soil. And so it goes, season after season and year after year. The situation is not natural nor is it sustainable.

 

Nature is regenerative. The forests, jungles and fruited plains; the Serengeti; the oceans, rivers, natural habitats and global ecosystems naturally evolved to be self-sustaining and regenerative. So too, were the nation’s farmlands, but for the intervention of mass production and chemical dependency. We are facing a dilemma in our soil, on our farms, in our food and with our health and healthcare—and some of the most important and impactful research and innovation on this subject is coming from scientists, farmers and healthcare professionals in central Pennsylvania.

 

I like to say that every issue of Natural Awakenings is a ‘healthy food’ issue, and this month is no exception, although we mean ‘healthy soil’. I invite you to finish shoveling the snow, pour a warm beverage, turn off the news and settle into your favorite reading chair with these pages and soak it all in. Perhaps you’ll realize that the key to feeling good, living simply and laughing more is in the soil.