Crunch. Crunch. The sound of boots on frozen ground feels both distant and close. With each passing week, the sun stretches its stay a little longer, teasing us with the promise of spring. Soon, Ellensburg’s gardens and yards will awaken, and the quiet hum of growth will weave its way through Kittitas County.

These late winter days are a time of in-between. The mornings still greet us with a chill that nips at our cheeks, and the afternoons glow just enough to make us think about putting our winter coats away. The sunlight hangs in the sky a little longer, playing in the tops of bare-branched trees and bouncing off the mountains. There’s a sense of anticipation in the air—like the earth itself is taking a deep breath before bursting into life.

In Ellensburg, gardening isn’t just a spring pastime; it’s a way to connect with the land and with each other. It’s planting roots—both literal and metaphorical—that ground us. It’s the joy of watching fruit trees bloom, their delicate flowers a prelude to the delicious harvests that remind us of simpler, sweeter times. It’s choosing a tree and imagining the shade it will someday provide for a favorite backyard bench.

Winter has its beauty, but it’s easy to feel the pull toward warmer days. The sights, smells, and textures of spring call to us: the soft rustle of wind through budding trees, the faint perfume of fresh soil, and the feeling of cool dirt crumbling between your fingers.

What does your spring garden dream look like this year? Maybe it’s planting a row of flowering shrubs to frame your yard or adding fruit trees to line your driveway. Perhaps it’s a simple garden bed where veggies can thrive, paired with cheerful flowers to brighten every glance outside.

While it’s tempting to rush into action, this in-between season is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and plan. What worked well in your outdoor space last year? What new colors, textures, or smells would you like to welcome? The gardens we create often mirror the seasons of our lives. There’s something deeply satisfying about imagining the first signs of growth and then watching them come alive with the arrival of spring.

For now, take a walk and let the changing light inspire you. Notice the trees silhouetted against the evening sky and the way the soil smells as it begins to thaw. Dream about the plants that will fill your yard with color and life, weaving themselves into your story.

Soon, the days will be long enough for evening strolls through blossoming orchards and yards filled with new growth. Until then, let’s savor this quiet time of anticipation and the hopeful promise it brings.

Here’s to brighter mornings, longer afternoons, and the simple joy of dreaming about the green season ahead.