By Rachel Sanders

A garden should be a journey—it should prevent stress, not add to it. If, at the moment, it appears to be a mountain of added work on your day, always remember that it is there for you, a reflection of yourself. Your garden will give back to you, and honestly I feel it gives back 200% more! Gardening is an instrument of grace; it slows us down and sets us back into the slow cycles of nature.

As we transform our gardens, we begin to understand them as a place of growth not only for plants and trees but also for our inner selves. We create our own sacred space. It is in this place that we can not only admire our skill as gardeners and designers but, more importantly, come into contact with the spiritual essence of nature.

Here are a few basics to get your garden singing into spring:

1) Take an inventory. Repair or replace tools and handles and sharpen blades.
I can’t stress enough how wonderful it is to work with a sharpened blade or a handle that is sturdy. It makes the work aspect easier and more accurate, and keeps us safe. Plus, sharp pruning promotes new growth and will help ensure a healthy plant.

2) Clean out debris.
The most important things any novice gardener, or even an avid gardening maniac, can do are clean the palette and begin with a fresh slate. Even if you may not be able to add any new beauties to your landscape, it will still make an amazing difference and feel fresh.

• Prune early blooming shrubs as soon as the tree is done blooming.
• Get an early start on weeding before the roots have a chance to take off. [While you're weeding, turn the soil a bit. You can do this with a shovel, hand rake or, my favorite, bare hands. Aerating the soil and cleaning a bit will give your garden a fresh look if you don't plan to mulch or add compost. Think of your soil also as a background to your plants (an accent color)].

3) Now you’re ready for planting.
Combining interesting objects, rocks and plants is a great way to bring unique qualities to your garden. I like to take an inventory of all my pots, random rocks that haven’t been placed, and steel remnants.

• Create focal points or areas of reflection.
• Don’t forget to notice plants in the garden that look like they may need extra attention or just aren’t happy where they are.
• Mix and match these elements to create a space with design in mind, or design the space to keep peace and sanctuary in my mind.

This slow journey should be a time for you to breathe and explore; really get to know your plants and build a relationship with your garden. Recognize the difference in the leaf structure of each plant, tree, and shrub and remember, there is no right or wrong. Spring is a great time to allow change within the space, which will ultimately give you a garden that is unique and full of surprises! Don’t be afraid to dig things up and move them around.

Also, the more you know yourself – what makes you feel calm (perhaps colors and textures) – the more you can shape your garden to bring you into greatest harmony with yourself. Our garden spaces are there for us to sing, and sometimes to cry, or laugh, maybe even to sleep, to be in love with life! Most of all they are our personal place to share with other folks, friends, and family who also enjoy a little peek at what nature is all about. To love is to be loved and then to be noticed!

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Rachel Sanders is an environmentally conscious Interior Designer providing decorating services, space planning, architectural drawings and renderings, and color consultations. She draws from classical form, feng shui, and modern masters to create a uniquely simple yet lush aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye and peaceful to the soul. To connect with Rachel, you can email her at rachelsanders@comcast.net.