The breath of false spring swept across the mid winter landscape, buttressed by steady rains that swept away ice and snow. The homestead ponds, low from months of scant precipitation, filled again. The flock of patchwork ducks romped happily, their feathers soft as velvet from hours of washing and oiling. As I watched them from the door of the greenhouse, framed by the arch of garden trellises as they played in the pond, it looked like a scene from an old-fashioned children's book.

Winter returned yesterday, coating the homestead with snow again, but we had a much appreciated "spring break" for a few days this week. After the bitter cold stretch we went through in January and weeks of dealing with ice buildups in shady spots around the homestead, it was a blessing to have a "clean slate" of sorts before we head into the next round of winter.

On average, we don't see temps in the upper 40s to low 50s until sometime in April, so this was definitely an oddball week for us. But averages are often made up of extremes, as I note in my upcoming book, "Common Sense Preparedness". (Available in September 2026 from Lyons Press.)

If you only plan for averages, you could be in deep kimchi when life tosses in those outliers. I prefer the option of being prepared and not needing those preps to not being prepared and wishing you had them. It's not always possible (because life can get ca-razy at times), but we try our best.

The seed orders have arrived, so it's time to prep the seed starting shelves and get the early starts ready soon. I got a pack of boneset seeds after using the herb when I sprained my ankle, so those are in the freezer stratifying to help improve germination. (I have a plant on order, too, in case I can't get the seeds to cooperate - because it's good to have backup plans.)

We're a smidgeon north of the plant's preferred range, but I like to push the boundaries, especially for plants that have medicinal and/or food use. Some just survive, some thrive, but you never know until you try. After all the years we've spent here, walking around the homestead checking on plantings is like visiting old friends. It's a pleasure to watch them change over the years as we learn and grow together.

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Prepare for the outliers. Stock or plan a little beyond the average — weather, food, seeds, or supplies — so surprises land softer.
• Layer your plans. Try something new, but keep a backup (extra seeds, spare tools, alternate varieties). Flexibility is quiet strength.
• Experiment at the margins. Push one small boundary — a new plant, skill, or method — and see what your place will support.
• Tend long relationships. Revisit plantings, systems, or habits that have grown with you over time; familiarity builds confidence and care.
• Use the thaw wisely. Brief windows of ease are gifts — reset paths, prep shelves, or ready tools before the next freeze returns.

Resilience grows where preparation, curiosity, and patience meet — season after season.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

This week's featured articles...

Waste not, want not. Don't toss those coffee grounds in the trash - use them in the garden. There are a few different ways to use them from building compost to targeted pest control. We show you how here.​

It's a little early for us to be digging in the garden, but for those of you in warmer climates, if you spot some dandelion roots while prepping beds, don't toss those out, either. They make good food and medicine.

​This article covers harvesting and use, and this one gives the specifics on dandelion root tea.

Did you know that cabbage retains nutrients after picking better than broccoli or cauliflower? We always store some in the refrigerator and root cellar at harvest time, in addition to making kraut and other recipes. This haluski (cabbage and noodles) recipe isn't the most photogenic, but it is frugal and filling.

This old-fashioned banana cake is another frugal option, using up those aging brown bananas.

It's time! The Spring Gardening Summit kicks off on Monday and runs from February 23-26, 2026.

From small space gardening, to soil building, to home orchards, to troubleshooting, this is a great option to get you excited and inspired for the coming gardening season.

The summit is free to attend, and there will be several presentations available each day. My favorite thing about events like this is how they help you to look at things with fresh eyes. Problems seem less overwhelming, and routine tasks may get a little easier with fresh ideas.

My presentation is on Tuesday, and I'm also active in the summit Facebook group. You can tag me there if you have questions during the event.