The poetry of plants and trees heading into spring

The spring flowers are in bloom.  Yellow forsythia, purple and orange pansies, bright yellow daffodils and beautiful shades of pink and white blossoms covering the trees. A spring wonderland. 

Yes, the spring flowers are exquisite.  The temperature is moving up by degrees each day and if the forecasters are correct, it will be in the high 70s, perhaps pushing even higher by the end of the week.

It is also the time of year to think about spring cleaning.  Decluttering the closets, taking dishes down from the shelf for a deep clean, storing away the boots, scarfs, hats and various layers of jackets that line the foyers and entrances to our homes.  Time to pull down the bins and boxes filled with summer clothes, furniture, dishes and baskets, in anticipation of dining outdoors next to the grill or picnicking at the beach.

As I am writing this and thinking about spring planting and gardening, I’m admiring the tall avocado plant on my desk.

I love avocados. In salads, on toast, with eggs and, of course, mixed as guacamole and served with salty, crispy corn chips.  While the avocado is high in fats, these are monounsaturated fats which, I have read, can protect us from heart disease and lower blood pressure. Avocados are also an excellent source of potassium, folate, and fiber, which are good for the heart and cardiovascular system. The tree that produces the fruit probably originated in the highlands of central-south Mexico or Guatemala.

There is pleasure in cleaning the large round avocado seeds and then letting them germinate for a few weeks.  Two years ago, on a visit to the Museum of Modern Art, I noticed an avocado vase in the gift shop. The glass vessel is shaped at the top to fit the avocado seed. How could I not purchase one?  Not every seed germinates so it took a few tries before I found one that had cracked and could be placed in the vase.

Over the last several years I have grown several plants. One is so large I gave it to a neighbor so he could transplant it into a large pot and let it grow into a tree on his terrace.  When the roots are strong, and the foliage is over 10 inches tall, I usually transfer the plant into a crockery pot.  

When I have an empty vase it’s time to germinate another seed.  Now I have two vases and usually two plants growing. 

What joy my collection of avocado plants has brought me.  I realize cultivating the seeds is also about patience.  I have read that it often takes 13 years for an avocado tree to bear fruit. While it is impossible to plant one outdoors in our cold northeast climate, we can keep the plants growing inside with proper watering, keeping the soil moist and repotting when necessary. Our indoor plants won’t necessarily bear fruit, but they will grow. 

In the handbook for the avocado vase it points out “Plants have a sense of peace about them. Researchers have found that people who live with nature feel much happier.  Just looking at the greenery in your home will affect your mood, boosting focus and mental clarity.”

And, of course, there is the reminder of the importance of patience. 

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Elizabeth Howard is the host of the Short Fuse Podcast, found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or through the Arts Fuse. Her career intersects journalism, marketing, and communications. “Ned O’Gorman: A Glance Back,” a book she edited, was published in May 2016. She is the author of “A Day with Bonefish Joe,” a children’s book, published by David R. Godine. You can send her a note at: eh@elizabethhoward.com.