What’s new in March? Spring, homeowner taxes? Oh, wait. Those last two make regular appearances, one when Mother Nature deems it’s time, and the second, as regular as all the bills that come in.

By the time March comes, I’m ready for more sunshine. Truth be told, the sun that shines outside, as I write this, is most welcome. I got out for a walk today to enjoy it. While our snow piles at the end of our driveway have only happened a couple of times this winter, it’s been milder overall. Still the sunshine got lost in the clouds many days.

March is as good a month as any to consider our outdoor environment and how we treat nature. We can start with a garden, for those who have a piece of land to call their own. I enjoy being in the garden, mind you, not for miles of market garden rows. Still it’s satisfying to grow some of our own food, and share it.

In that vein, I saw an ad on Marketplace today for raised garden beds, made of untreated wood, right in our twin cities. It’s important to have something that will last and not leach harmful chemicals into the soil where we intend grow food.

We have two raised beds that my husband built nine years ago. Ours are showing signs of wood rot, and will eventually need to be replaced with something else. So I was curious if the ones advertised would be a good replacement. The fellow replied that he delivers them too.

I will assess our boxes once the snow is gone.

Our grandkids help with the planting each year, the older ones able to help the younger ones. Then they get to water the garden and eat some of the produce as the plants produce. Besides most of them like having their hands in the dirt. One for sure. Plus, they enjoy being together.

For those with no piece of land, or cannot garden anymore, there are things you can do too, from recycling to composting. Those help everyone. Let’s think on other ideas until the sun warms us up a bit more.

We are stewards of the land. How we use it matters a great deal.

Last spring