Consider The Lilies...or Zinnias

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”— Matthew 6:28–29

Here we are in the New Year—and in the dead of winter—when most of the natural world is resting, dormant, or quietly hibernating. Yet a few valiant plants refuse to give up entirely. Thyme, oregano, sage, chives, mint, parsley, rosemary (with protection), winter savory, and lemon balm often survive—and sometimes even grow—through cold and snow, offering both flavor and wellness in the quiet months.

Medicinal perennials like echinacea, chamomile, and comfrey are also remarkably resilient.

Of course, not all regions experience winter the same way. I’m in Northeast Texas, where winter has been mild so far. Many of my shrubs and plants keep trying to sprout as if spring has already arrived. I’m not doing much to encourage or discourage them. I

believe in letting nature do what nature does—naturally—as much as possible.

Still, it makes me long for my New Year: the true spring of March and April, when everything returns to life—resurrecting, so to speak.

Wherever you are, most of us in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing a seasonal lull. We’re not planting much outdoors (though I hope you tried winter sowing). We’re not harvesting much either. Instead, this is a season for study, for making herbal creations, for cleaning and storing, and for planning the year ahead. I know I’m enjoying a somewhat slower pace allowing me to create some products I never seem to have time to tackle during the busy seasons.

As you plan, you might like to consider no-dig gardening and landscaping this go-around—a “least disturbance” approach that allows nature to remain largely intact. This quieter season is the perfect time to plan and prepare your outdoor palette for warmer days.

As I’ve studied ways to care for my flowers, herbs, and pollinators, one theme appears again and again: disturb the earth as little as possible. Though we can’t see or hear it, the soil beneath our feet should be teeming with life. When it isn’t, there are gentle ways to restore it.

In many cities and suburbs, land has been scraped and overworked for development, leaving soil that is nearly sterile—lifeless dirt rather than living earth. Healthy soil should be rich in minerals and nutrients so plants can produce the vitamins and compounds that nourish our bodies. When we leave the earth undisturbed, its microbiome thrives—much like the beneficial systems within our own bodies.

Yet what do we usually do when planning gardens and landscapes? We dig, till, remove soil, replace it with bagged dirt, fertilize, and feed. Why? Because that’s what we’ve been taught. It’s what’s been modeled.

Nature, however, does something very different. It does very little at all—and yet, left alone, it produces abundantly. It grows, multiplies, dies back, and resurrects, all while feeding the earth in an elegant, self-sustaining cycle of life.

When we mimic this process—using natural materials and minimal disturbance—we rebuild health and nutrition in the soil. That health extends to pollinators, deters many pests, and ultimately nourishes the plants that feed and fuel our own bodies. It’s a beautiful, interconnected system. Isn’t it amazing how that works?

It's still got a way to go, but it's come so far. What you can't see is what's percolating under the dirt. Just wait 'till spring!!!

If you’d like to explore herb-scaping or no-dig gardening and landscaping, I would love to walk that path with you. You can reach me by email at ganavarie2025@gmail.com or schedule an appointment at https://www.wildflowersnweeds.com/book-online. I've included a few pictures of this method as I'm taking my current yard from Zero in the first few pix to Over-the-Top. It's an exciting work in progress as seen in the montage above.

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At Between the Wildflowers and the Weeds, our mission is to continually strive, discover, and practice Whole Life—a life of joy, beauty, and peace…on purpose. Join us in celebrating the harmony between wild beauty and everyday life.